Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich: Gunners close gap at the top and move up to second in the Premier League thanks to Kai Havertz's first half strike Kai Havertz close-range finish after 23 minutes proved to be the difference Arsenal have leapfrogged Arsenal into second and are six points off the top LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford By OLIVER HOLT Published: 22:07, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 22:25, 27 December 2024 e-mail 230 shares View comments This match between challengers and strugglers felt like the comfy sofa where you retreat to rest after you have eaten one too many slices of turkey and two too many mince pies. As post-prandial entertainment, it wasn’t as good as the Gavin and Stacey finale but the three points it brought Arsenal did lift them above Nottingham Forest and Chelsea and into prime position to give chase to Liverpool . This was a job done by Mikel Arteta ’s side and nothing more.
It was the bare minimum requirement that marked the start of their attempt to close the gap on Arne Slot ’s side. The sketchy 1-0 win moved them to within six points of the leaders although Liverpool do also have a game in hand and the wind in their sails. It also proved to Arsenal that they can win without Bukayo Saka , their best player, who will be out for several more weeks with a hamstring injury sustained at Crystal Palace before Christmas .
Arsenal looked shorn of attacking inspiration without Saka but Ipsw.
