Arsenal wasted no time stamping their authority at Portman Road, carrying the momentum from their midweek Champions League triumph into Sunday’s Premier League clash. From the opening whistle, Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession and dictated the tempo, immediately placing Ipswich Town on the back foot.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Martin Ødegaard capitalized on a poor Ipswich turnover to feed Bukayo Saka, whose cross found its way to Leandro Trossard. Despite losing his balance, the Belgian managed to slip the ball past Alex Palmer for Arsenal’s 100th goal of the season. The Gunners’ second goal arrived just 14 minutes later, as Saka again exploited the right flank, delivering a ball that Mikel Merino cleverly flicked on for Gabriel Martinelli to tap in his 50th goal for the club.
Davis Red Card Caps Ipswich’s First-Half Misery
Already trailing by two goals, Ipswich’s task went from difficult to disastrous when Leif Davis received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Saka in the 31st minute. Davis’ studs raked down the back of the England winger’s Achilles, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off and leaving Ipswich with a mountain too steep to climb.
The dismissal effectively killed off any hope the hosts had of staging a comeback. Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings, with Saka narrowly missing three chances before halftime. Meanwhile, Ipswich’s attacking threat was virtually non-existent, their best opportunity coming when Julio Enciso squandered a promising position with a wayward pass early on.
Trossard Adds Second as Ipswich Collapse
After the interval, Ipswich briefly threatened through George Hirst, but Arsenal quickly regained control. Just past the hour mark, the visitors earned a corner and, exploiting Ipswich’s defensive disorganization, worked a short routine that culminated in Trossard firing home his second goal of the afternoon.
The strike sealed Trossard’s first brace in Arsenal colors and extinguished any remaining flicker of Ipswich resistance. Arteta’s side rarely had to leave second gear, conserving energy ahead of their crucial Champions League semifinal clash while still delivering a ruthlessly efficient performance against their struggling opponents.
Nwaneri Caps Brilliant Week for Arsenal
With the three points all but secured, Arteta introduced fresh legs, including Nathan Butler-Oyedeji for his Premier League debut and Kieran Tierney for his 100th top-flight appearance. Arsenal continued pushing for a fourth goal, and after Martin Ødegaard struck the post, it eventually arrived through academy prospect Ethan Nwaneri.
The 17-year-old showed composure beyond his years, collecting Ødegaard’s pass, cutting inside, and unleashing a shot that deflected off two Ipswich defenders before trickling into the net. It was a fitting finale to a performance that underlined Arsenal’s growing maturity and strength in depth as they maintain their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
Ipswich’s Relegation Fears Deepen
For Ipswich Town, the match felt like the formal reading of their Premier League last rites. Stuck in 18th place on 21 points and saddled with a dismal goal difference, their hopes of survival now hinge on an almost impossible set of results. Even maximum points from their remaining fixtures may not be enough to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Manager Kieran McKenna had warned before kickoff that survival was a long shot, and Sunday’s demoralizing defeat only confirmed those fears. With five games left and a demoralized squad, Ipswich’s fate appears sealed, while Arsenal march on, aiming to finish the season with silverware both at home and abroad.
