Arsenal have moved up to second place in the Premier League after a narrow victory over Ipswich Town.
Kai Havertz was the match winner for the Gunners, and his goal midway through the first half proved the difference between the two teams.
With the victory, Mikel Arteta's team surpasses Chelsea and becomes the closest rival to the title of Liverpool, which leads the standings by six points and with one game less.
Mail Sport's HENRY CLARK was at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night to keep an eye on the title contenders.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya – 6
It's difficult to give the Arsenal goalkeeper more than a six, simply because he had so little to do all night. This will be remembered as one of the most comfortable games of his career.
David Raya had a quiet night in goal for Arsenal as they dominated the game against Ipswich.
Jurrien Wood – 6.5
A tidy display and he kept his counterpart, Ipswich creator-in-chief Leif Davis, calm. He saw a rough shot saved by Arijanet Muric in the first half.
William Saliba – 7
Faced with the physical presence of Liam Delap, who had no qualms about letting the Frenchman know he was there for the challenges, but stood up to the task well.
Gabriel – 6.5
He looked set to score from a corner once again, but somehow shot wide. He may be a defender by trade, but those types of opportunities have been the Brazilian's food and drink in recent years. A significant failure also at 1-0, with nerves growing in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
He got the go-ahead to start again, even with Riccardo Calafiori available, and didn't put a foot wrong. He showed maturity on the ball and stayed calm after running into Kalvin Phillips in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was impeccable at left back and helped the Gunners keep a clean sheet.
Martin Odegaard – 7.5
Orchestrator of Arsenal's best passages of play, but the Norwegian found it difficult to make much happen with Ipswich sitting so deep. He almost scored after weaving his way through a sea of blue jerseys.
Declan Rice – 6.5
He continued to play, but could have done with adding a little more impetus from time to time with one of his quick runs into the box. A sweet volley from a corner by Odegaard was blocked, denying the goal of the season contender a goal.
Kai Havertz – 7
Many say Arsenal are missing a true fox-type striker in the box, but the German was in the right place at the right time to score the first goal. He has scored more goals than any other Arsenal player during 2024.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game with this goal midway through the first half
Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5
Chosen to lead Arsenal's attack on the right in the absence of Bukayo Saka, but was not given much time or space to work his magic.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
He started his third consecutive game for Arsenal for the first time since December 2023, but struggled to make an impact. He was denied the goal he deserved by his lovely touch between Arijanet Muric's legs in the first half after going slightly offside in the build-up.
Leandro Trossard – 5.5
A frustrating player who should contribute more goals and assists than him, but he did well to beat Ben Johnson before delivering a perfect cross for Havertz.
Leandro Trossard (right) put in a frustrating display but did well to assist Havertz's goal.
Subs
Mikel Merino (replaces Jesús, 72') – 6
He almost made an instant impact off the bench but saw his shot well saved by Muric.
Thomas Partey (replaces Rice, 87 minutes) – N/A
Coach: Mikel Arteta – 7
He would have liked his team to have been much more comfortable, but his players maintained the courage to get the job done.
IPSWICH (4-2-3-1)
Music 5; O'Shea 6, Woolfenden 6 (H Clarke 91), Greaves 6, Davis 6.5; Phillips 6, Csetting 6 (Taylor 80); Johnson 5 (Broadhead 80), Hutchinson 5.5, Szmodics 5 (J Clarke 71, 5.5); Delap 6 (Al-Hamadi 80).
Coach: Kieran McKenna 6.
REFEREE
Darren England 5.5.
