Mikel Arteta was satisfied with the way his side controlled a tight game against Ipswich as Arsenal secured a 1-0 win to climb up to second in the Premier League.
Kai Havertz gave the Gunners the lead midway through the first half when he converted Leandro Trossard’s cross from close-range and the home side were happy to sit on their advantage as they kept the visitors at arm’s length for the rest of the match.
Arsenal did have opportunities to strengthen their grip on matters but Gabriel Magalhaes headed wide from a Declan Rice corner and the latter had a well-hit first-time shot blocked at close quarters.
“It what was it was,” Arteta told BBC Sport after an uninspiring game.
“The first half especially we were super dominant. We generated some good chances. If anything, we should’ve had more than one. We started the second half not great, giving the ball away from the kickoff.
“Credit to them. They were really well organised, really well coached. You’ve got to score the second one in this league. The last few minutes they start to pour forward, play more direct and there’s the feeling more than anything that anything can happen at the end — we hate it.”
After losing Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury – the manager revealed this evening that the England international underwent surgery on the problem – attention focused on how the Gunners would cope without their talismanic right winger.
In the end, Arteta asked Gabriel Martinelli to fill in and the Brazilian was busy if not particularly effective.
“Very good,” was the manager’s assessment. “It will be different. We had moments in the first half and better moments second half as well. The moments are new and it will take time for us to understand each other. I think [Martinelli] did well.”
Tonight’s win means Arsenal closed out 2024 having won the most games and points in the Premier League over the last 12 months. They also scored the most goals and conceded the fewest. All the same, after finishing second to Manchester City last season and with Liverpool six points ahead this year, they still have it all to do if they are to prove wrong those who don’t believe they can win the title.
“Considering the circumstances we had this season, the amount of times we had to play with 10 men, the injuries, the fixture congestion…it’s good but it’s not where we want to be — we want to be first,” said Arteta.
