Game Week 18 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Ipswich

Arsenal aims to climb to second place as they face relegation-threatened Ipswich at the Emirates, with key players absent due to injuries.

Can Mikel Arteta's Arsenal fire hard without their star boy? Arsenal takes on Ipswich on Friday, will they come out tops? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Arsenal vs. Ipswich.

Emirates Stadium

9:15 pm

Arsenal benefited from the Boxing Day fixtures; despite Liverpool's late rallying result, the Gunners can capitalise on Chelsea and Manchester City's mistakes to move up to second in the standings.

Strange enough, Nottingham Forest took Arsenal’s spot in third after an impressive win over faltering Spurs, and only a win would suffice for the Gunners if they’re to climb up to second and keep up with runaway leaders Liverpool.

Ipswich saw Wolves devour Manchester United on Boxing Day; this means the Tractor Boys are now three points off safety; they must beat Arsenal to go level on points with Wolves, and it would only be a matter of goal difference.

Arsenal hasn’t lost a game since the 1-0 reverse at Newcastle, but dropping two points against Fulham and Everton derailed their title ambitions. Now they must claw things back and get back on track; in their way is Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich.

On paper, it’s a David and Goliath affair; one is fighting for the title at the top end with realistic chances if you consider the fact it’s just halfway to the season, while the other is fighting it out at the bottom end to survive the drop. The match at the Emirates promises to be thrilling.

We’ve seen Ipswich against sides like Manchester United and Tottenham; they’re fearless, and that in itself is a problem against a side like Arsenal. If they throw caution to the wind, they could end up on the wrong side of the result.

Arsenal will be without their star boy Bukayo Saka, who pulled his hamstring in the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend. The England winger will be away for many weeks, according to Mikel Arteta, and Arsenal must find another way to play in his absence.

Ipswich will welcome back Liam Delap, who was missing against Newcastle due to suspension; he will be replaced in the stands by Sam Morsy, who is also serving a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, with the one he got against the Magpies proving costly.

Omari Hutchinson, a former Arsenal player, and Sammie Szmodics, a player who can trouble anyone on his day, will be crucial to the Tractor Boys' success. Ipswich must be wary of Arsenal’s threats; when they go forward, they cannot afford to leave their defence unguarded.

Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals in his last two games; he is going to get another chance to show he can help the Gunners against Ipswich; he must take it. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are other options elsewhere; however, Martin Ødegaard will be the key to how Arsenal plays.

Verdict: Arsenal is to win.