Arsenal were absolutely dominant against newly promoted Ipswich, but only managed a volley from Kai Havertz to finish second in the Premier League.
Ipswich tried to defend and frustrate throughout the evening, managing just 32% possession and three shots in the entire game.
That game plan was shattered midway through the first half when Havertz scored the only goal of the night from a cross from Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal’s dominance is REWARDED! 🔴🔥
Kai Havertz makes no mistakes from close range!#PLonPrime #ARCHIVE pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU
– Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 27, 2024
The Gunners missed many chances throughout the evening – they had 40 touches of the ball in the Ipswich penalty area and 13 shots on target – but once again they lacked the crucial touch in front of goal.
Gabriel, who was so dangerous from set pieces, headed past the goal from a few meters with his best chance.
Winger Bukayo Saka’s absence was felt and will continue to be felt, but Mikel Arteta’s side reduced the gap to leaders Liverpool to six points.
Ipswich failed to score on goal in the Premier League for the first time since 2002 and remained in 19th place.
Gabriel Martinelli was given the unenviable task of replacing Saka on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening.
Round off 2024 with a win ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024
The Ipswich defense failed to keep out Martinelli’s cross and the ball fell to Trossard on the opposite side of the penalty area. Trossard fought his way to the baseline before firing his cross into the penalty area, where Havertz was able to convert the ball from a few meters.
It was Havertz’s third goal in four games, his twelfth of the season, and deserved no less than the hosts, who had an incredible 91.4% of possession at this point in the game.
Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – who was in the starting line-up for the third time in a row for the first time in a year – was caught offside in advance.
Ipswich fans egged on their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal” but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they ended 2024 with a victory that kept the pressure on Liverpool.
