Arsenal achieved a modest 1:0 victory at home to Ipswich in the 18th round of the Premier League, sportal.bg reported.
The two teams did not have a particularly impressive clash at the "Emirates", but the hosts showed more class and deservedly reached the three points with a goal from Kai Havertz in the 23rd minute. Thus, the "gunners" regained second place in the provisional standings and closed the gap on leaders Liverpool to 6 points again, but they also have a game in hand.
In the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta relied on Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossar in attack. Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz were the trio in midfield.
Kieran McKenna chose to start the match with Liam Delap as a forward and Omar Hutchinson, Sami Schmodic and Ben Johnson behind him. Calvin Phillips and Jens Kajuste were the supporting midfielders.
The match started with a good attack from the guests. In the 1st minute, Leif Davies crossed from the left and Sami Šmodić almost missed the ball into the goal.
Arsenal had their first goal opportunity in the 19th minute, when Jurien Timber advanced with the ball at his feet through the center of the field and fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
The hosts opened the scoring with their second chance. Leandro Trossar received the ball in the penalty area on the left and crossed parallel to the goal line, and Kai Havertz intercepted the ball into the goal from close range for 1:0.
In the 30th minute, Declan Rice shot from long range and was not far from the target, but the ball went over the goal.
In the 34th minute, the hosts scored a second goal through Gabriel Martinelli, but it was disallowed due to an offside during the attack.
The second half started at a much calmer pace and for a long time we did not witness a single more dangerous opportunity in front of either goal.
In the 62nd minute, however, Arsenal missed a great chance to double the score. Gabriel Magalhaes headed a cross from a corner from close range, but somehow missed the target.
Ten minutes later, Martin Odegaard made an impressive run, finishing with a shot from a difficult angle and the ball flew over the crossbar.
In the 74th minute, a defender cleared the ball in front of the goal line after a great volley by Declan Rice after a cross from a corner.
A minute later, a new situation followed in front of the visitors' goal. The ball was brought down to Kai Havertz near the goal, but the German was unable to shoot after being pressed by a defender.
In the 76th minute, goalkeeper Arianet Muric had to make an important save after a tricky shot on the ground by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich's modest attempts to get to the point proved fruitless until the end. In added time, the guests requested a penalty for a handball by Havertz, which he had, but the German's hand was tucked to his body and there was no way for the referee to point to the white spot in this situation.
With this victory, Arsenal collected 36 points and moved into 2nd place in the provisional standings. Ipswich, on the other hand, remains in the penultimate 19th position with 12 points.