Kai Havertz the hero , Arsenal make slow start to life without Bukayo Saka win over Ipswich 1-0

Ipswich, a match marked by the team's struggle to adapt following the absence of star winger Bukayo Saka due to injury. This win allowed Arsenal to secure second place in the Premier League, just six points behind league leaders Liverpool . Despite Havertz's decisive goal, assisted by Leandro Trossard, the overall performance of Arsenal was deemed "slightly pedestrian," raising concerns about their ability to maintain momentum without Saka's dynamic presence on the field .

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the opening period.

Arsenal’s victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, having played one match more than the Reds, and a point clear of Chelsea following their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham.

Ipswich were not given a sniff all night, attempting three shots all game and none on target, as Arsenal kept their seventh clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

No side has kept more than that, while no team has conceded fewer goals than Arsenal’s 16 in the top-flight so far in 2024/25. Here are three key talking points after Arsenal’s win.

No side has kept more clean sheets (seven) or conceded fewer goals (16) in the Premier League this season than Arsenal, while they have now registered four successive home clean sheets in the league for the first time since December 2021.

Havertz settled the contest with his sixth goal in his last seven Premier League appearances against newly promoted opposition, while Arsenal have now won their last 13 home games against such opponents.

Mikel Arteta's squad. While they dominated possession throughout the game, their clinical finishing was notably lacking. Manager Arteta acknowledged this deficiency post-match, emphasizing that improvement in this area is crucial for future fixtures. The absence of Saka has left a palpable void in Arsenal's attacking strategy; his creativity and pace are difficult to replace. As such, Havertz’s performance becomes even more critical as he steps into a more prominent role within the team.

Looking ahead, Arsenal must navigate upcoming fixtures against Brentford and Brighton with renewed focus and determination. The reliance on players like Havertz will be essential not only for maintaining their position near the top of the table but also for securing victories that could define their season . As they adjust to life without one of their key players, it remains imperative for Arteta’s side to enhance their finishing capabilities while drawing inspiration from pivotal moments like Havertz’s winning goal.

 Read more

Sarah H

Also on site :

• Aging Boom’s next stage: Rise of the 100-somethings
• Why a unique Premier League final day will be more interesting than it might appear
• US unveils world’s first supersonic artillery shell that can hit targets 100 miles away at a blistering 2,700mph speeds