Arsenal are set to host Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on December 27 as part of the Premier League fixtures, marking the end of gameweek 18. The Gunners enter this match with confidence, sitting third on the table, and riding on the high of three wins from their last five matches across competitions. Notably, they secured a convincing 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace last time out, showcasing their fine goal-scoring form with 12 goals, also managing to keep two clean sheets.
Conversely, Ipswich Town finds themselves struggling, currently sitting 19th after falling flat with only one win from their previous five matches. They've suffered four defeats and must bolster their defensive line, having conceded nine goals during this stretch and netted just three. The stark disparity between the teams makes this upcoming clash intriguing.
On the team front, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta approaches the fixture with some relief, as he edges closer to having his squad fully fit. Rising star Bukayo Saka, unfortunately, will miss the clash due to a hamstring injury sustained recently, sidelining him for three to four weeks. Nevertheless, the return of players like Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice from injuries adds depth to the squad following their contributions during the win against Palace. The expected lineup for Arsenal includes Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, and Calafiori at the back, with Odegaard, Rice, and Havertz controlling the midfield, and Martinelli, Jesus, and Trossard leading the attack.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town's situation looks grim under the directive of manager Kieran McKenna, who faces challenges after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against Newcastle United last week. The absence of players such as Chiedozie Ogbene and Axel Tuanzebe complicates his preparations. Ipswich will welcome back Liam Delap after he served his one-match suspension, but their chances remain slim against Arsenal's flourishing squad.
When analyzing past encounters, Arsenal has historically dominated Ipswich. The two teams last clashed back during the 2010/11 season, and prior to this, their last Premier League face-off occurred over twenty years ago. Arsenal has won four of the last five meetings, with Ipswich managing to secure just one victory.
Considering the current forms and the head-to-head statistics, predictions lean heavily toward Arsenal to secure a decisive victory. Envisaging the outcome, many anticipate Arsenal will dominate the pitch, with predictions tentatively placing the scoreline at 4-0.
All eyes will be on Arteta as he prepares his team for this festive fixture, where the stakes are high for both teams - with Arsenal aiming to sustain their upward momentum and Ipswich desperate to avoid sinking any lower.
