The biggest talking points from Sunday’s game.
MIRROR
Arsenal comfortably beat struggling Ipswich Town to ensure that Liverpool’s title win will not be confirmed for at least another week. The Gunners travelled to Portman Road on Sunday on the back of a statement win at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
They showed no sign of a hangover by putting in a professional performance in Norfolk. Leandro Trossard put the visitors ahead just 14 minutes in when he poked past Alex Palmer following good work from Bukayo Saka.
Saka quickly became the biggest influence on the game and played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s second goal just before the half-hour mark. He whipped in a low cross, with Mikel Merino brilliantly backheeling it into the path of Gabriel Martinelli who smashed the ball home.
Ipswich had looked bright but any faint hopes they had of mounting a comeback were dashed four minutes after Martinelli’s goal. Saka held the ball up, with Leif Davis stamping him on the back of his ankle in frustration, leading to a red card.
Arsenal continued to dominate in the second-half, with Trossard netting his second of the afternoon following a neat corner move. The scoring was wrapped up with three minutes remaining when Dara O’Shea deflected Ethan Nwaneri’s shot beyond keeper Palmer. Here, Mirror Football looks at the biggest talking points from Sunday’s game.
Title ‘race’ goes on
The win over Ipswich means that Arsenal are 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, though the Reds will play Leicester later on Sunday. Arne Slot’s side would have confirmed their title win had the Gunners slipped up at the Tractor Boys.
Now their title party has been put on ice until at least next Sunday, though they do first need to beat the Foxes. Arsenal have long since given up hope of winning the title, with only five games left of the season.
But boss Mikel Arteta will be keen to keep his side in good form, even if their focus is now firmly on the Champions League. Wednesday’s clash against Bournemouth is the Gunners’ final game before their semi-final first leg against PSG.
Super Saka
Having been pivotal in the win over Madrid in midweek, Bukayo Saka again played a key role in the win at Portman Road. First he all but assisted Trossard’s opener, with Martin Odegaard getting the slightest of accidental touches on his cross.
He also delivered a perfect low ball into Mikel Merino, who cleverly flicked it on to Gabriel Martinelli to fire in the second. After the sending off of Davis, Saka faced a chorus of boos from the home crowd whenever he touched the ball.
The winger answered those in style by continuing to terrorise the Ipswich defence. While he will be disappointed to have not found the back of the net, it was a good day for the England international.