Arsenal will look to build on their resounding win against Crystal Palace when they host Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium this Friday evening. Following their 5-1 thrashing of Palace, the Gunners are optimistic heading against their visitors, who have found themselves struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The victory over Crystal Palace was instrumental for Arsenal, narrowing the gap with second-placed Chelsea to just two points. Despite the satisfaction of the win, the Gunners were dealt a blow with the injury of star winger Bukayo Saka, who will be sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring tear. "It’s not looking good. He’s going to be out for many weeks,” confirmed manager Mikel Arteta.
Leandro Trossard is set to fill Saka’s role on the left flank, with Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri mentioned as potential alternatives. Raheem Sterling, expected to support on the right wing, is also ruled out with injury, forcing Arteta to restructure his attacking options. The Spaniard's concerns are palpable as the squad also contends with injuries to key players like Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White.
A glimmer of hope exists with the return of Declan Rice, who scored off the bench against Palace. The English midfielder’s presence is likely to bolster Arsenal’s midfield against Ipswich Town. The Gunners will rely heavily on Gabriel Jesus, who has netted five goals across the last two matches, to lead the line.
On the flip side, Ipswich Town has had little to cheer about lately, having faced harsh defeats, including last weekend's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle United. The Tractor Boys are languishing at 19th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Despite their dismal position, Ipswich's manager Kieran McKenna remains optimistic, highlighting their earlier season victory over Tottenham. McKenna will reinstate Liam Delap, who returns from suspension, as the spearhead of their attack, but the absence of their captain Sam Morsy due to yellow card accumulation poses significant challenges.
“It’s important we get points on the board quickly if we want to avoid relegation,” noted McKenna, setting the tone for the must-win game at Arsenal.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 8:15 PM GMT, and fans can watch the game live on Amazon Prime Video, which has exclusive rights to broadcast this fixture, along with several other Premier League matches.
The predicted lineups appear promising for Arsenal, who are averaging over two goals per match at home this season. With their attacking prowess back on display and Ipswich struggling defensively, analysts predict a potential rout, with Chris Sutton, former player and current analyst, expecting the Gunners to win 2-0.
“If Arsenal turn up, there’s really no contest,” Sutton commented. Having established such formidable form, the Gunners will need to secure all three points against Ipswich if they wish to maintain their title chase behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
Match day will also provide Arsenal fans the last glimpse of their side without Saka until the new year, making this fixture all the more pivotal for both teams. For Arsenal, it’s about securing momentum; for Ipswich, it’s about turning the tide before it’s too late.
With the stakes high, the excitement is palpable. Will Arsenal continue their winning streak, or can Ipswich pull off another shocking upset? Fans on both sides will be eagerly awaiting kick-off.
