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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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:
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 85 minutes
Ipswich just don’t seem to have requisite options when they foray forward. Barring a small spell around the hour mark, they simply haven’t looked a threat today, which will be a concern for Kieran McKenna.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 83 minutes
A Declan Rice corner lands in the hands of Arijanet Muric, who has done a solid job in goal tonight so far for Ipswich. Can the visitors find something in these final ten minutes or so?
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 81 minutes
Here are those alterations from McKenna: Jack Taylor, Nathan Broadhead and Ali al-Hamadi are brought on for Ben Johnson, Jens Cajuste and Liam Delap. It didn’t happen at all for Delap tonight, which is a bit of a shame.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 79 minutes
Kieran McKenna is mulling more changes as an Ipswich attack is halted by the referee’s whistle. Martin Odegaard has taken an inadvertent arm to the face from Jack Clarke.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 76 minutes
Close again! Mikel Merino makes rapid progress into the box and finds a firm side-footed shot towards the far corner. Arijanet Muric is briefly unsighted but reacts swiftly enough to turn the effort away.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 74 minutes
A neat routine and almost a lovely Arsenal goal! Martin Odegaard drills a diagonal corner just short of the penalty shot where Declan Rice is waiting to unfurl a thumping drive. It’s bound for the back of the net if not for Dara O’Shea, who stands tall and firm as it thunders into him. Ipswich are just about clinging on.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 73 minutes
Lovely footwork from Martin Odegaard, deftly weaving in and out of Ipswich bodies and drawing a fingertip save from Arijanet Muric.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 71 minutes
Sammie Szmodics is done for the evening - on comes Jack Clarke in Ipswich’s forward line.
A change for Arsenal, too. No goal for Gabriel Jesus; Mikel Merino is introduced, presumably meaning a move forward for Mikel Merino.
Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich, 67 minutes
Odegaard trudges off, though is back soon enough and showing no ill effects of that ankle tweak.
Down in Sussex, it ended Brighton 0-0 Brentford despite Julio Enciso’s best efforts - a flury of shots from the forward and the rest of the home side but they end 2024 with only a point.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments