The Gunners win and take second place

Arsenal were completely in control of promoted Ipswich but could only hold off Kai Havertz to finish second in the Premier League.

Ipswich prepared to defend and frustrate all evening and had just 32% of the ball and three shots all game.

The game plan was undone midway through the first half when Havertz latched onto Leandro Trossard’s cross for the only goal of the night.

Arsenal’s dominance has been rewarded! 🔴🔥

Kai Havertz makes no mistakes from close range!#PLonPrime #archives pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU

– Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 27, 2024

The Gunners wasted plenty of chances as the night went on – having 40 touches in the Ipswich penalty area and 13 shots on target – but they once again lacked a lethal touch in front of goal.

Gabriel, who was so dangerous from set-pieces, headed wide from a few yards out with his best chance.

The absence of winger Bukayo Saka was and will continue to be felt but Mikel Arteta’s side closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points.

Ipswich failed to have a shot on target for the first time in the Premier League since 2002 and remain in 19th place.

Gabriel Martinelli was given the unenviable task of filling in for Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right flank and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening.

We end 2024 with a win ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ

– Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024

Ipswich’s defense failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, and the ball fell to Trossard on the other side of the penalty area. Trossard made his way to the sideline before sending a cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a few yards out.

It was Havertz’s third goal in four games, and his 12th of the season, and well deserved for the hosts, who had an impressive 91.4% of possession at that stage of the match.

Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – who made his third consecutive start for the first time in a year – veered into an offside position during the build-up.

Ipswich fans cheered their opponents on with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they wrapped up 2024 with a win that keeps the pressure on Liverpool.