Arsenal vs Ipswich LIVE! Premier League result, match stream, latest updates and reaction today

Arsenal vs Ipswich LIVE!

Arsenal ended 2024 on a winning note despite a somewhat laboured performance against Ipswich. The Gunners dominated Friday night’s rather insipid festive offering at the Emirates Stadium, but mostly struggled to find a way past the Tractor Boys’ defensive effort. Kai Havertz ended up with the only goal of the game in the first half after turning home Leandro Trossard’s cross, which was enough to send Mikel Arteta’s side from fourth up to second after leapfrogging both Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.

Arsenal - potentially without star man Bukayo Saka until March due to his torn hamstring - remain unbeaten at home this season are now back within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who still possess a game in hand. Next up for the Gunners is a short and potentially tricky trip to face London rivals Brentford on New Year’s Day.

As for Ipswich, who failed to register a single shot on target for the first time this season, a fifth defeat from their last six matches leaves them stuck in the relegation zone and still three points adrift of safety with another difficult game to come at home to Chelsea on Monday. Follow Arsenal vs Ipswich reaction live below!

Arsenal vs Ipswich highlights

• NO GOAL! Gabriel Jesus effort ruled out

• GOAL! Havertz finishes off Trossard cross

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:39

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

A game that will not live long in anyone's memory, but an important three points for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz the hero after scoring the only goal of the game in the first half. Arsenal up to second in the Premier League.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:09 , George Flood

Full-time

Certainly not a game or a win that will live long in the memory for Arsenal, but Kai Havertz’s first-half goal is enough to win their final game of 2024.

The Gunners leapfrog in-form Nottingham Forest and Chelsea into second, moving within six points of leaders Liverpool, who still have that game in hand.

A short trip to London rivals Brentford is next up on New Year’s Day.

As for Ipswich, not a terrible performance and some diligent defending but no shots on target and not nearly enough attacking daring, belief or ambition when they had their moments in that second half.

Five defeats in six for the Tractor Boys, who remain 19th and three points adrift of safety before another tough game against Chelsea on Monday.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:08

95 mins: It’s now or never for Ipswich as they go on one final attack, Arsenal defending a little frantically.

Wales forward Broadhead cuts in off the right before unleashing a drive that hits the arm of Havertz - not a penalty.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:04 , George Flood

91 mins: Woolfenden makes way for former Arsenal defender Harry Clarke.

We should mention there was an Arsenal penalty appeal a little earlier but there was nothing given as Gabriel wrestled with Delap at a corner.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:03 , George Flood

90 mins: More late possession from Ipswich but Taylor’s long-range drive is charged down by Partey.

A cross from Hutchinson is then delivered too close to Raya, who gratefully claims.

Harry Clarke will be the final Ipswich substitute introduced shortly as we enter four minutes of additional time at the Emirates.

Will we get any late fireworks to light up what has been very far from a festive cracker?

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

22:00 , George Flood

87 mins: Ipswich just have not carried anywhere near enough attacking threat or ambition on the few occasions they have got forward tonight.

Too many touches and always one pass too many, this time Taylor the guilty party before a foul on Timber.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:59 , George Flood

86 mins: Another change from Arteta now with four minutes plus stoppage time to play.

It’s Thomas Partey on for Rice in midfield.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:57 , George Flood

82 mins: Into the final 10 minutes at the Emirates and Martinelli does well to win a free-kick wide on the Arsenal right.

But a disappointing delivery is claimed easily by Muric.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:56 , George Flood

A very fair assessment...

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:55 , George Flood

78 mins: Another brief injury scare for Odegaard, but again he’s fine to continue.

A triple change now from Ipswich as McKenna goes for broke in search of a late equaliser.

Ali Al-Hamadi, Jack Taylor and Nathan Broadhead are all on.

Off go Delap, Cajuste and Johnson.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:49 , George Flood

75 mins: The late chances are rather starting to pile up for Arsenal, who will be kicking themselves if they don’t take one of these.

Havertz can’t finish beyond Muric from close range before the Ipswich ‘keeper is forced into a strong low save from substitute Merino.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:46 , George Flood

73 mins: Odegaard weaves his way past the blue shirts inside the Ipswich box before his powerful drive is helped over by the fingertips of Muric.

Another smart corner routine from Arsenal as Odegaard floats it to Rice, whose well-struck volley from the edge of the box is blocked by stand-in Ipswich captain O’Shea.

That would have been a cracking goal.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:43 , George Flood

70 mins: A change apiece as Jack Clarke does indeed replace Szmodics for Ipswich.

Arteta is sending on Mikel Merino for Gabriel Jesus, whose scoring resurgence hasn’t continued tonight after being denied by the offside flag.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:42 , George Flood

68 mins: Thankfully for Arsenal, Odegaard is now back up and playing on after that scare.

The first change of the night looks set to come from Ipswich with just over 20 minutes to play at the Emirates.

One-time Tottenham winger Jack Clarke is getting ready to enter the fray, with Szmodics likely the man to go off.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:40 , George Flood

65 mins: Davis into the book for a bad challenge on Odegaard.

A painful rake of the studs to the back of the Achilles for the Arsenal captain, who stays down in need of treatment.

Arteta really does not need to be without his influential skipper again.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:35 , George Flood

62 mins: Better, quicker football from Arsenal who suddenly come alive with some swift interchange and Havertz’s low cross is turned behind for a corner by Wolfenden.

Rice’s delivery to the back post is somehow headed into the ground and wide from point-blank range by an unmarked Gabriel.

How on earth did he miss that?! An absolute sitter.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:34 , George Flood

60 mins: Phillips and Lewis-Skelly both receive a telling off from referee Darren England after tempers flare needlessly between the pair.

It’s quickly defused and on we go.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:32 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

Ipswich starting to open up a bit and they're getting the ball wide. Arsenal just a little flat since the break and not kicked on.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:31 , George Flood

58 mins: Ipswich are enjoying their best spell of the game at the moment as they start to deliver some wicked balls into the box, Rice doing well to stay alert and guide the second behind for a corner.

I think that was Timber with a solid headed clearance at the front post.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:30 , George Flood

56 mins: All a bit needlessly sloppy again from Arsenal there as Hutchinson gets to the byline and a cross bounces awkwardly in the box before Lewis-Skelly’s poor clearance leads to a Phillips drive that is blocked by Rice.

They don’t need these sorts of nervy moments at 1-0...

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:26 , George Flood

53 mins: Havertz gives the ball away and then unsubtly drags back Hutchinson, earning the Arsenal goalscorer a deserved yellow card - the first of the night.

A smattering of boos tonight for former Arsenal youth star Hutchinson, who hasn’t made much of an impact on this game so far.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:25 , George Flood

52 mins: A surging run from Rice is halted just outside the box before Odegaard’s powerful free-kick cannons back off the Ipswich wall.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:22 , George Flood

49 mins: Arsenal are quickly turning the screw again early in this second half as they work the ball inside the Ipswich box and Trossard now sees an effort blocked.

You definitely get the sense that a second Gunners goal would completely kill this game and make sure that they jump up into second place tonight.

The floodgates could well open.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:21 , George Flood

47 mins: A lovely surging run from Odegaard as he hesitates on pulling the trigger and then sees a shot blocked inside the box.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:20

45 mins: That’s a poor pass from Raya into Saliba, who is caught in possession by Szmodics.

Instead of trying to lob the scrambling Arsenal goalkeeper, Szmodics takes too many touches and runs into the left channel before being knocked off the ball by Saliba.

A couple of chances now, one early in each half, that the former Blackburn star will want back.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:18 , George Flood

Back underway at the Emirates!

Arsenal will want that second goal to put this game away.

In a very bad omen for Ipswich, the Gunners are unbeaten in the last 53 Premier League games in which they have been ahead at half-time.

No changes from either Arteta or McKenna just yet.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:14 , George Flood

And yet he still feels very underrated...

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:10 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal deservedly ahead courtesy of Kai Havertz's goal.

The hosts have absolutely dominated possession, enjoying over 80 per cent of it.

Arsenal just need to make sure they get a second goal to kill this game off.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:04 , George Flood

Half-time

An extremely tame first half at the Emirates, but Arsenal have got the breakthrough after Trossard’s good work and a smart close-range finish from Havertz.

Jesus thought he had a second before the offside flag rightly went up.

No attacking threat at all really from Ipswich since that Szmodics chance in the opening seconds.

Let’s hope for a livelier second 45.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:02 , George Flood

47 mins: Cries of “shoot” from the Arsenal fans as their team knock the ball around patiently again, with Gabriel declining to let fly from range.

The half-time whistle then sounds.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

21:00 , George Flood

45 mins: One minute of added time signalled at the end of a very sleepy first half.

This has certainly not been a classic so far.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:59 , George Flood

43 mins: Ipswich continue to chase shadows at the Emirates, though they do look to be pressing higher up the pitch now which is creating more space for Arsenal to try and exploit.

They have not had a single touch in Arsenal’s box so far, to 23 at the opposite end for the Gunners.

That rather tells the story of this first half.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:57 , George Flood

40 mins: A bit of a tepid affair this at the moment.

Ipswich aren’t really altering their approach despite falling behind, which isn’t making for the best spectacle.

Good defending from Greaves to see off a ball from Martinelli inside the box.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:54 , George Flood

36 mins: Arsenal are frustrated to have been denied the chance to stream forward on the counter after catching Ipswich in possession following a quick free-kick.

Hutchinson is then stunned to have been denied a free-kick after an apparent nudge in the back.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:51 , George Flood

34 mins: GOOA.. NO!

Arsenal think they have their second of this first half after Jesus latches onto a lovely left-wing cross from Trossard and prods the ball home from a tough angle with Martinelli in close proximity.

However, the resurgent Brazilian is quickly and rightly flagged offside.

1-0 it remains.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:48 , George Flood

32 mins: More ambition from Ipswich leads to some very rare touches for David Raya in the Arsenal goal.

The Gunners are now knocking the ball around at the back, trying to draw the Tractor Boys onto them and open up some space in behind.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:47 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

It's a sign of Arsenal's dominance that the home fans are moaning at Muric for taking too long over goal kicks, when the Gunners are 1-0 up.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:46 , George Flood

28 mins: After a couple of rare forays forward from Ipswich come to nothing, Arsenal are swiftly back on the attack.

Havertz goes down inside the box after some neat interplay with Martinelli, before Rice curls a decent effort over the crossbar.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:43 , George Flood

A seventh Premier League goal of the season for Arsenal’s top scorer...

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

20:42

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

A goal that has, quite frankly, been coming. Interesting to see what Ipswich do now. Do they try and push up a bit?

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich | Kai Havertz 23'

20:38 , George Flood

23 mins: And there’s the breakthrough!

Martinelli’s latest cross from the right is seen away by Woolfenden, but it’s kept alive by Trossard, who is given enough room to run at Johnson before his low cross into the six-yard box is finished coolly from close range by Havertz.

No less than Arsenal deserve. Slack defending from Davis to allow Havertz to get onto that.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:38 , George Flood

21 mins: The pattern of this game has long since been established as Arsenal continue to monopolise possession to the tune of 92 per cent so far.

But the ball movement is a bit slow at times and they still can’t break Ipswich down.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:36 , George Flood

20 mins: A huge pocket of space opens up in front of Timber, who gladly accepts as he charges forward before a low effort is easily held by Muric.

Arsenal fans are already getting restless with the time it is taking the Ipswich goalkeeper to deliver the ball.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:32 , George Flood

15 mins: Arsenal pepper the Ipswich box with crosses following their latest corner, but the Tractor Boys repel their advances on each occasion.

It’s pure attack versus defence at the Emirates.

As Simon says, patience the name of the game for Arsenal.

Ipswich have been extremely well organised so far, but it’s a hell of a long time to play like this.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:30 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

Ipswich's intent is clear to see from this opening 15 minutes.

They're basically sat deep in a 5-2-3 formation.

Patience is going to be key for Arsenal.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:29

14 mins: Trossard’s eventual shot inside the box is blocked behind by Phillips.

He probably should have taken that chance on first time, but he decided to square to Odegaard instead.

Another Gunners corner coming up.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:28

12 mins: A ball into Gabriel Jesus is intercepted at the last by Ipswich and Cajuste nudges it back to towering goalkeeper Muric.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:26 , George Flood

10 mins: A lack of spark for Arsenal early on here without Saka.

They are dominating possession as you might expect, but it’s been determined, disciplined and compact defending from Ipswich so far.

They are keeping their shape well and getting every man diligently working hard behind the ball.

They are sitting deep and cutting off the space, forcing Arsenal into lots of harmless passing and trying to catch them on the counter-attack when the opportunity arises.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:24

8 mins: Arsenal have a free-kick in a useful position out on the left following a foul on Lewis-Skelly, but it’s a wretched delivery from Odegaard that hits the one-man wall.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:21

5 mins: Nice interplay by Arsenal as Martinelli gets beyond Davis to the byline, with Woolfenden alert to head his probing cross into the six-yard box behind for a corner.

Arsenal have been so dangerous from set-pieces this season of course, but this one is punched away by Muric before Odegaard miscues a volley.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:19 , George Flood

2 mins: After almost conceding in the first few seconds, when their fans were still singing their pre-match anthem, Arsenal are now dominating possession in search of their own early opening.

Replays show the cross from the Ipswich left was deflected into Szmodics off the arm of Timber, but the Republic of Ireland forward could not make a proper connection with a flick of his boot.

Will Ipswich get a better chance tonight?

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

20:17 , George Flood

Underway in north London!

Will it be a memorable end to 2024 for Arsenal?

They give up a big chance in the opening seconds, but Sammie Szmodics can't provide the finish.

He tried to flick on from a dangerous cross from the left, but the ball fell safe beyond the back post.

Arsenal sleeping early on.

Arsenal vs Ipswich

20:14 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

Huge night for Martinelli on that right flank. I actually thought he did well at Palace last week, when Saka went off.

A change of wings could be the spark his season needs.

Arsenal vs Ipswich

20:13

Here come the teams at a foggy Emirates!

Both sides in their familiar home strips tonight, so it’s red and white against blue.

Darren England is tonight’s referee, with Alex Chilowicz on VAR duty.

Bad omens for Ipswich

20:10

Per Opta Sports, Ipswich have not beaten Arsenal in a league game since September 1984, when goals from Russell Osman and Romeo Zondervan secured a 2-1 victory at Portman Road.

They have not won away at Arsenal in the league since all the way back in August 1979 at Highbury, when Sir Bobby Robson was in charge.

Arsenal won 2-0 home and away the last time they played in the Premier League in the 2001/02 season, while the Gunners also triumphed 3-1 on aggregate in a two-legged affair to book their place in the then Carling Cup final under Arsene Wenger back in 2011.

Ipswich won 1-0 at home before losing 3-0 on their only other trip to the Emirates Stadium to date.

O’Shea captains Ipswich for first time with Morsy suspended

20:05 , George Flood

We should mention that Republic of Ireland centre-back Dara O’Shea captains Ipswich for the first time tonight with regular skipper Sam Morsy suspended.

Former Arsenal youngster Omari Hutchinson also starts against his former club, despite coming off at half-time in the heavy loss to Newcastle.

There is no Cameron Burgess in the squad at all. No Massimo Luongo either after illness.

McKenna urges 'bravery and togetherness' from Ipswich

19:55 , George Flood

Tonight is Kieran McKenna’s 150th match in charge of Ipswich, a whirlwind three-year tenure so far for the former Manchester United and Tottenham youth coach - his first job as a manager - that has brought back-to-back promotions and a first Premier League season since 2002.

As Tractor Boys forward Sammie Szmodics just told Amazon Prime Video, such a tough place to come to celebrate such a milestone.

So how can Ipswich spring another huge upset in north London after such an error-strewn display against Newcastle, having stunned Tottenham away only last month?

"We have watched back through the (Newcastle) game and had a look at the things that we need to do better - other than that, everyone is positive and looking forward to Arsenal," McKenna said.

"We know we have got a great next game ahead - Arsenal on a Friday night at the Emirates is a fantastic one in the journey for this group of players and for the club.

"We need to show the right mentality first of all. It is a chance to show our togetherness, our spirit and resilience.

"Our organisation is going to have to be really good and we are going to have to show bravery in moments of the game as well to take them on in the way we want to.

"It is about trying to make as many good decisions as possible.

"If we don't make the right decision at the right time, then that is when more risk comes into it.

"It is about trying to develop the group, educating the players on different moments of the game and different situations, and what is the most appropriate decision to make in each situation.

"Then it is about working with them in that process because they are human beings.

"They are not going to get every judgement right in the level that we are operating at, the time and the margins to make your decisions are so, so, so fast.

"But it is also important to remember that these are split-second decisions and just work with the individuals to make the most appropriate decision at the right time as often as possible."

Arteta repeats Saka injury timeline

19:47 , George Flood

No further update from Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka’s injury prognosis in his pre-match interview with Amazon Prime Video.

He repeats that the England winger will be sidelined for “many weeks” with his torn hamstring suffered at Crystal Palace, echoing his latest update from earlier in the week.

Standard Sport understands there are fears at Arsenal that Saka could be out until March.

Standard Sport's Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium

19:44 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings is in position at the Emirates, where he reacts to that team selection from Mikel Arteta:

Five Ipswich changes from Newcastle rout

19:33

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, meanwhile, makes five changes to the side thumped 4-0 by Newcastle at Portman Road last weekend.

Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips does indeed deputise for suspended captain Sam Morsy in the middle as expected, while Ben Johnson, Jacob Greaves and Luke Woolfenden all come into the defence.

That looks like a back three from the Tractor Boys as Harry Clarke, Cameron Burgess, Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns all drop out.

Further forward, top scorer Liam Delap returns from suspension in a major boost.

Two Arsenal changes as Rice and Trossard come in

19:21 , George Flood

So that’s two changes to the Arsenal side that started the 5-1 rout of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend, with Leandro Trossard replacing the injured Bukayo Saka in attack.

Presumably it will be Trossard down the left, Gabriel Jesus through the middle and Gabriel Martinelli switching again to the right flank, as he did when Saka went off on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s only other change is in midfield, where Declan Rice replaces Thomas Partey.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is back on the Arsenal bench after recovering from a calf injury.

Ipswich lineup

19:07

Ipswich XI: Muric, Johnson, O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Phillips, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Szmodics, Delap

Subs: Walton, H Clarke, Townsend, Taylor, Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead, J Clarke, Al-Hamadi

Arsenal lineup

19:04 , George Flood

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli, Jesus

Subs: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Partey, Merino, Nwaneri

Lineups on the way

18:59 , George Flood

An early peek inside the Arsenal dressing room before official lineups drop from the Emirates.

Will these two be back in the starting lineup to face Ipswich tonight?

We’ll find out very soon. Stay tuned...

Arteta: Coping with Saka absence will make me a better manager

18:45 , George Flood

This is certainly not the first time that Mikel Arteta has had to come up with a plan to cope without one of his leading stars this season, with captain Martin Odegaard having missed more than two months of action with ankle ligament damage sustained on international duty in September.

The Arsenal boss believes such a challenge will only make him a better manager as he also became the latest high-profile figure to take aim at football’s ever-expanding fixture list.

"I think so, yes,” he said. “We started the season with one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League, and we knew that.

"If we have the thinnest squad, what do we need? We really dug into that to make sure that we utilise every player in the best possible potential, and everybody has to feel part of it.

"You need to rediscover players in different positions, and different relationships. It's a really good exercise and the boys are willing to do anything we demand them to do, so that's a really good thing, too.

"It (the fixture list) is unsustainable unless we can find ways to physically turn the players into monsters who can cope with anything.

"The fact that you train and recover, that's not a good pattern because the body needs to train, the muscle needs to train.

“If you just play and recover you start to lose a lot of factors in your body that are key to physical performance.

"Not just to play not to get injured, but to become a better athlete, which is very different, and to keep evolving as an athlete.

"I hope the players are being listened to but whoever is in charge, can they actually do something right now with the commitments that are already in place over the next three or four seasons? It is very challenging and very difficult."

Calafiori and Rice pushing for Arsenal returns

18:39 , George Flood

As well as replacing the injured Bukayo Saka, what other changes can we expect to the Arsenal team tonight from the one that cruised to victory at Selhurst Park last time out?

Presumably it will be Gabriel Martinelli switching flanks again to the right and Leandro Trossard coming in down the left, with that duo flanking the in-form Gabriel Jesus up top.

Kai Havertz operated in midfield against Crystal Palace, but he or Thomas Partey could well make way tonight if Declan Rice is promoted back into the first XI after scoring late off the bench last weekend.

The back five would appear to largely pick itself, though we could presumably see Riccardo Calafiori replace young Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left.

The likes of Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior are all other options if Arteta opts for more rotation for what on paper should be their most winnable game over this festive period, with a potentially tricky trip to Brentford awaiting on New Year’s Day before another tough journey to Brighton precedes two massive cup games against Newcastle and Manchester United in January.

Here’s how Standard Sport’s Simon Collings sees the Gunners shaping up ahead of the official team news...

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Santi Cazorla in attendance as Arsenal's special guest

18:30

As noted by Standard Sport’s Simon Collings, Santi Cazorla is Arsenal’s special guest for tonight’s festive fixture.

The former Gunners favourite will be heading pitchside later on to conduct a special interview ahead of kick-off and no doubt receive a brilliant ovation from the home support.

Arteta hails Gabriel Jesus 'turning point' after goal burst

18:26 , George Flood

Bukayo Saka’s injury has rather overshadowed the other big talking point from Arsenal in the run-up to Christmas, which was the timely resurgence of Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazilian scored his first home goals for a year as he bagged a dramatic hat-trick in the 3-2 come-from-behind win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last week, then adding another brace in the 5-1 league thrashing at Selhurst Park.

He had previously not scored in the Premier League for some 326 days.

Mikel Arteta believes such a sudden goal burst can act as a real turning point for Jesus.

“It has to be,” he said. “We have to push him, let him go and get behind him.

“He has had some difficult moments and when you are a striker that’s not easy because you get a lot of the spotlight.

“But credit to him, because his work ethic, and the way he came back in the summer, he was a completely different player. And now he is being rewarded.

“You have to prepare for your opportunity and, if you fail to prepare, it is not going to happen.

“You want results early and you don’t always see the rewards. It is like going to the gym and looking in the mirror after one week or one month.

“Sometimes it needs more time and suddenly everybody is saying you look much better, you’re looking healthier, and that’s a good example to use to understand what Gabi has done.”

Arsenal could seek transfer solution to Saka injury blow

18:18 , George Flood

It won’t help them tonight of course and Mikel Arteta has challenged his existing attackers to step up and share the burden, but it could yet be that Arsenal’s solution to their new Bukayo Saka problem lies in the January transfer window, which opens for business next week.

Standard Sport understands that Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Randal Kolo Muani is among the players now likely to be offered to the Gunners, but it remains to be seen if there’s any interest there.

“Well, my focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” said Arteta earlier this week.

“We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we'll have to consider it.

“The preparation is done and we are ready if something happens. Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time.

“We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done.

“Then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”

How will Arsenal cope without Bukayo Saka?

18:09 , George Flood

So of course the major question for Arsenal tonight is exactly who will step up in attack in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka?

Raheem Sterling seemed the most natural replacement and indeed was likely signed on deadline day for that exact contingency in mind, but he too is of course now sidelined for a period of weeks with a knee issue.

Gabriel Martinelli switched to the right flank after Saka went off at Selhurst Park, while Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard are other potential options to play down that side.

“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative,” said Mikel Arteta this week.

“It’s a good exercise again of how can we mould the squad, how can we adapt to the circumstances and how can we be different.

“We’re not going to be the same. We’re going to be different. Try and find the best way to do it and win games.”

Festive Friday feeling at the Emirates

18:01 , George Flood

As you would expect, a very festive feel around the place tonight as Arsenal finish 2024 at the Emirates.

Can they offer a late present to fans with what we hope will be another late Christmas cracker in N5?

Arsenal vs Ipswich prediction

17:53

Losing Bukayo Saka for an extended period of time was a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, but they cannot spend any time feeling sorry for themselves as the fixtures continue to pile up over the busy festive period.

The contrasting natures of their back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace - not to mention Gabriel Jesus’ long-awaited return to the scoresheet - should have done a lot for their confidence after being held to frustrating draws by both Fulham and Everton.

They should have far too much for an Ipswich team who were demolished by Newcastle, are missing their influential captain and likely face a real uphill task to consolidate their place in the Premier League this term.

However, Arsenal would still do well not to underestimate Kieran McKenna’s side, whose only two wins in the league so far this season have both come away from home - including with a shock triumph down the road at Tottenham back in November.

Arsenal to win, 3-0.

Early Ipswich team news: Captain Morsy suspended

17:49 , George Flood

The big team news for Ipswich tonight is the suspension of influential captain Sam Morsy, who will miss one game after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season in last week’s heavy 4-0 home defeat by Newcastle.

Such a ban could lead to a rare midfield start in north London for Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips.

Elsewhere for the Tractor Boys, top scorer Liam Delap is back from his own short suspension in a major boost for Kieran McKenna.

Axel Tuanzebe, George Hirst and Chiedozie Ogbene all remain sidelined, however.

Massimo Luongo has also been dealing with illness.

Early Arsenal team news: Saka ruled out for 'weeks'

17:44 , George Flood

Of course the top story around Arsenal during the festive period has been the latest injury suffered by Bukayo Saka, who was forced off early in the 5-1 Premier League rout of Crystal Palace last weekend that followed a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the same opponents in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Mikel Arteta was initially pessimistic over the setback and Saka was later diagnosed with a torn hamstring, which the manager confirmed would keep him out for “many weeks” - some fear until March.

Someone will have to step up in Saka’s absence tonight, but it won’t be Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling - who is also sidelined with a knee problem.

Defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain long-term absentees, though Oleksandr Zinchenko is now back in training.

How to watch Arsenal vs Ipswich

17:38 , George Flood

TV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video. Coverage starts at 7pm GMT.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream online via the Amazon Prime Video website or app.

Arsenal vs Ipswich live

17:35 , George Flood

Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of a Friday night festive fixture under the lights in the Premier League between Arsenal and Ipswich.

The Gunners, down to fourth in the table after the entertaining Boxing Day slate, will be looking to quickly recover from Bukayo Saka’s latest injury blow to record a third straight victory across all competitions that would see them leapfrog both in-form Nottingham Forest and Chelsea into second place and only six points behind leaders Liverpool.

Ipswich have certainly found the going predictably tough in their first top-flight season for 22 years, though have won two of their last three games away from home - including a shock victory down the road at Tottenham last month.

Kick-off tonight is at the later time of 8:15pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates, including expert analysis from Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at the Emirates Stadium.