Confirmed lineups as the Gunners look to close the gap at the top

Arsenal need a home win against struggling Ipswich to move back into second place and close in on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side go into Friday night’s game nine points behind the Reds – and there is no room for error against the Tractor Boys.

How will the home team manage without Bukaya Saka on the wing?

Here’s how the sides are lined up:

Arsenal team news

Striker Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals in his last two games for Arsenal and starts in attack, while Leandro Trossard steps into the shoes of Bukaya Saka.

Declan Rice is back and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly is back in defence.

🔴 TEAM NEWS ⚪️

💪 Lewis-Skelly continues in the position of left back
🔙 Rice returns to the starting 11
🪄 Trossard on the wing

Let’s do it, Gunners 👊

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024

Arsenal XI: David Raya, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Jurriën Timber, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard

News about the Ipswich team

Ipswich may be starting to find some form on the road, but they haven’t won a game against a team in the Premier League’s top four since 1995 and haven’t won at Arsenal since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge in 1979.

Kalvin Phillips gets a chance in midfield as Sam Morsy is suspended.

Your Blues in the capital. 🫡#ARCHIVES | @Nustone_UK pic.twitter.com/GYhH7UxvQQ

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) December 27, 2024

Ipswich XI: Arijanet Murić, Leif Davis, Jacob Greaves, Luke Woolfenden, Dara O’Shea, Jens Cajuste, Kalvin Phillips, Sam Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson, Ben Johnson, Liam Delap