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Arsenal vs Ipswich LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Kai Havertz goal earns three points

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich: The German’s first-half goal was enough to Mikel Arteta’s side to end 2024 with a win

Friday 27 December 2024 22:31 GMT

Mikel Arteta 'really worried' about Bukayo Saka's injury blow

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Arsenal climbed to second in the Premier League as they overcame a defensively-strong Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium.

An early goal from Kai Havertz, converting a fizzed cross from Leandro Trossard, proved enough for the hosts to re-take their place as Liverpool’s closest chasers after a 1-0 win. Mikel Arteta’s side were far from their fluent best against a tightly-packed visiting side, though were seldom troubled as Ipswich struggled to escape their own end.

Trossard had been brought into the starting line-up for the first game after Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline the Arsenal star for several weeks. Arteta could have done with Saka’s spark, with clear chances relatively few and far between even if Gabriel should have added a second from a corner routine in the second half. Ipswich’s best opening came in the first 30 seconds, though Sammie Szmodics could not make contact with a bouncing ball. They remain 19th.

Re-live all of the action from the Emirates below:

Team news - Arsenal

Leandro Trossard is the beneficiary of Bukayo Saka’s injury, with the Belgian joining Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in the front three. Declan Rice is back in the Arsenal starting side as young Myles Lewis-Skelly continues at left-back.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli.

Harry Latham-Coyle27 December 2024 19:02