Arsenal started life with out Bukayo Saka by beating Ipswich 1-0 to maneuver into second place within the Premier League and minimize Liverpool’s result in six factors on Friday.
Kai Havertz scored the one aim as Arsenal failed to show their dominance right into a extra convincing scoreline.
The dearth of a medical goalscorer might finally price Mikel Arteta’s males a primary league title in additional than 20 years, however they took benefit of Chelsea’s shock 2-1 defeat in opposition to Fulham on Thursday to change into Liverpool’s closest challenger.
Saka is ready to be sidelined for “many weeks” within the phrases of Gunners’ boss Arteta with fears the England worldwide may very well be out till March as a consequence of a hamstring harm suffered in final weekend’s 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
Arteta’s answer was to begin with Gabriel Martinelli in Saka’s regular position huge proper with Gabriel Jesus persevering with up entrance after scoring 5 instances in Arsenal’s earlier two outings.
The house aspect have been dominant in possession however had few clear-cut possibilities to indicate for it till the ultimate quarter.
“Frustration while you win? No. Issues to enhance? Sure,” mentioned Arteta on the slender margin of victory.
“Credit score to them as they’re very properly organised, however we restricted them to nothing,” he added.
Arsenal have been pissed off by Everton in a 0-0 draw of their final league sport on the Emirates so there was reduction when Havertz broke the impasse on 23 minutes.
The German prodded excessive into the online from Leandro Trossard’s low cross for his twelfth aim of the season.
Jesus did discover the online as soon as extra with a cheeky end between the legs of Arijanet Muric from an virtually inconceivable angle, however was flagged offside.
Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces has been well-documented and they need to have added to their objectives from corners this season.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed in opposition to the surface of the put up from point-blank vary when it appeared simpler to attain.
As Ipswich’s ambition grew because the second half wore on, so the probabilities on the different finish started to move.
Martin Odegaard had given the house crowd a scare by happening holding the left ankle that noticed him sidelined by harm for 2 months earlier within the marketing campaign.
The Arsenal captain, although, was shortly again on his toes and weaving his means via the Ipswich defence with a mazy run and highly effective strike that Muric tipped over.
From the ensuing nook, Declan Rice’s highly effective shot was blocked by Dara O’Shea.
Havertz then wasted an excellent likelihood for his second and Muric saved as soon as extra from Mikel Merino to make sure a nervy ending.
However Arsenal held out to leapfrog Nottingham Forest and Chelsea into second.
Ipswich stay second from backside, three factors adrift of security.
