What Mikel Arteta realized as Arsenal win and overtake Chelsea in Liverpool chase

Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool after they beat Ipswich Town 1-0 in a crucial win in the title race.

Mikel Arteta‘s side, who are without talismanic forward Bukayo Saka for the foreseeable future due to injury, took the lead on 23 minutes through Kai Havertz, who got on the end of a Leandro Trossard cross to net from close range at the Emirates.

Gabriel had a chance to double Arsenal’s lead in the second half, but the Brazilian inexplicably headed wide of the mark. In the end, his missed header mattered not, as the Gunners managed to see out the rest of the game comfortably, with Ipswich failing to register a single shot on target.

The result means Arsenal now sit six points behind leaders Liverpool, who came from behind on Thursday evening against Leicester to beat the Foxes 3-1 at Anfield. And here’s what Arteta will have learned from the victory, as the Gunners look to keep pace with Arne Slot‘s side at the top of the Premier League.

Lacking a cutting edge?

For all their possession, Arsenal still look a little wanting in attack against Ipswich. Gabriel had a glorious chance to double the Gunners lead in the second half but the Brazilian headed wide.

While the absence of a player of Saka’s quality would hurt any team, Arsenal still look a little light in attack at times. Yes, they scored eight goals across their two games, both of which were against Crystal Palace. But prior to that, they drew their last two domestic matches with Everton and Fulham, games which finished 0-0 and 1-1 respectively.

Had they beaten Everton and Fulham, they would be two points behind Liverpool – and would have likely caught up with their goal difference too. They had a chance to do that against Ipswich, and didn’t take their opportunity to do so, something which could hurt the Gunners later on in the season.

Wrap Odegaard up in cotton wool

There was an incident in the second half where Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard went down clutching his ankle, something which will likely have caused Arteta’s heart to sink in the wake of Saka’s injury.

The Norwegian has missed significant game-time this season for Arsena with an ankle sprain, and while he was ok to continue, finishing up the match, Arteta must be thinking of ways they can rest Odegaard so as to keep him available for the rest of the season.

Lewis-Skelly shines

One major positive for Arsenal was the performance of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back for the Gunners. The 18-year-old did not look out of place whatsoever against Ipswich, and was everywhere on the pitch at the Emirates, earning rave reviews on social media.

One user wrote on X: “Myles Lewis-Skelly is built for Premier League football.” A second commented: “Don’t think I’ve ever a seen a youngster this good at using his body as Myles Lewis-Skelly.”

A third said: “Myles Lewis-Skelly. A joy to watch.” And a fourth added: “Myles Lewis-Skelly… What kinda talent is this.”

Job done

With Chelsea having lost to Fulham in shock fashion on Thursday afternoon, and with Liverpool having beaten Leicester City to open up a gap on the Blues, Arsenal knew they had to beat Ipswich to keep pace with Arne Slot’s table topping Reds.

And they did exactly that. Arsenal dominated the ball against Ipswich, who failed to really lay a glove on the Gunners. Arsenal now sit six points behind Liverpool, who do still have a game in hand on Arteta’s side.

But right now with how the table looks, all the Gunners can do is try to keep up with Liverpool – something which they will have to do without star forward Saka, who is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury.