The Gunners grind out the win and go into second place

Arsenal were utterly dominant against promoted Ipswich but could only manage a Kai Havertz volley to finish second in the Premier League.

Ipswich defended and frustrated all evening and only had 32% possession and three shots all game.

That game plan was undone midway through the first half when Havertz got on the end of Leandro Trossard’s cross for the only goal of the night.

Arsenal’s dominance has been REWARDED! 🔴🔥

Kai Havertz makes no mistakes from close range!#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 – they had 40 touches in the Ipswich box and 13 shots on goal – but once again lacked the killer touch in front of goal.

Gabriel, so dangerous off the ball, headed home from just a few yards out in his best chance.

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

Ipswich failed to hit the back of the net for the first time in the Premier League since 2002 and remained 19th.

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

We round off 2024 with a victory ✅ pic.twitter.com/iT9CUBmhTZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024

The Ipswich defense failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, and the ball fell to Trossard on the opposite side. Trossard fought his way to the touchline before hammering his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a few yards out.

It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th this season, and no less than the hosts deserved, who had an incredible 91.4% possession of the ball at that stage of the match.

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

Ipswich fans encouraged their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal” but it was the Gunners who had the last laugh as they saw off 2024 with a victory that keeps Liverpool under pressure.