Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton make Arsenal vs Ipswich Town predictions as 'massive dent' claim made

Arsenal return to action on Friday night when they take on strugglers Ipswich Town with the chance to move back into second place thanks to a surprise home defeat for Chelsea on Boxing Day. The Gunners are now nine points behind leaders Liverpool, and this is not a game in hand.

That makes it vital that they take care of business against a Tractor Boys side currently three points from safety in 19th spot after a tricky first half of the season following their long-awaited Premier League return.

Ahead of the Emirates Stadium clash, BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton has been predicting the game, saying: “Ipswich missed the suspended Liam Delap in their heavy home defeat against Newcastle. He will be back for this game, but I don't see him making much difference to the outcome. Saturday was the kind of thumping that might put a massive dent in Ipswich's confidence and this is a big test for them. I know they have already won in north London this season, when they saw off Tottenham in November, but it is hard to see them getting anything at Emirates Stadium.

“It is important for Arsenal that Gabriel Jesus is back in the goals. They are going to miss the injured Bukayo Saka for the next few weeks but they will still have too much firepower for Ipswich. The Tractor Boys are in the relegation zone at Christmas and I want to say that I feel sorry for my daughter's teacher Mr Fields, who is an Ipswich fan. To be honest, that's nothing new, though - I always feel sorry for all Ipswich fans.

“Being serious, I still think they have got a chance of staying up and I still rate their manager, Kieran McKenna, very highly - but that Newcastle defeat was a big blow for them. They are still without a home win this season and that has to change quickly if they are going to have any chance of beating the drop. Prediction: 2-0.”

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer is also expecting the Gunners to come out on top, telling the Metro: “Ipswich were awful against Newcastle, and they made them look poor. It looks as though Arsenal are going to be without Saka for period of time, which is a blow for them, having said that they should have enough to beat Ipswich. Arsenal win.”