The Gunners take the win to finish second

Arsenal completely dominated against promoted Ipswich but only managed a volley from Kai Havertz as they finished second in the Premier League.

Ipswich set out to defend and frustrate all night and managed just 32% possession and three shots all game.

It was a game plan undone midway through the first half when Havertz latched onto a cross from Leandro Trossard for the only goal of the night.

Arsenal’s dominance is REWARDED! 🔴🔥

Kai Havertz is not wrong up close!#PLonPrime #ARCHIVES pic.twitter.com/a0GyKH20GU

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

The Gunners squandered plenty of chances as the night wore on, with 40 touches in the Ipswich penalty area and 13 shots on target, but again lacked a killer touch in front of goal.

Gabriel, so dangerous from a set piece, headed home from a few meters out with his best chance.

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

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

Gabriel Martinelli took on the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right wing and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the night.

Closing 2024 with a win ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024

The Ipswich defense was unable to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard struggled to get to the byline before flicking his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards.

It was Havertz’s third goal in four games, his 12th of the season, and nothing less than the hosts, who at that stage of the game had enjoyed an impressive 91.4% of possession, deserved .

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

Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal” but it was the Gunners who had the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win that keeps the pressure on Liverpool .