Arsenal player ratings: 9/10 'standout man' but sometimes 'silly' 7 as Ipswich Town beaten

There was just one goal that separated title-chasing Arsenal and relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, but it was plain sailing for Mikel Arteta and his men.

Kai Havertz was the only man on the scoresheet in the first action after Christmas for the Gunners, turning in a clever Leandro Trossard cut back. There were next to no moments of real concern for Arsenal but Arteta will no doubt be disappointed not to have put the game to bed with a second and third goal.

It’s just a few days until the North London outfit are back in action with a trip to Brentford but the club remain buoyed by an impressive run of form. Here’s how the Arsenal players rated against Ipswich town.

Arsenal player ratings

GK - David Raya, 7

Quiet night for the shot-stopper. Looked a little alarmed at the start of each half when Ipswich Town had a mad half chance and a more alert Sammie Szmodics could have embarrassed the Spaniard.

LB - Myles Lewis-Skelly, 7

What a talent this lad is. Looks so at ease in the top flight and a level above the Ipswich men. That said, was guilty of a silly clearance in the second half and almost saw tempers flare in a coming together with Kalvin Phillips.

CB - William Saliba, 9

So, so assured. Looked in a different league against the Tractor Boys attack and picked out some nice balls from the back.

CB - Gabriel, 8

Should’ve had another set piece goal tonight. Made a brilliant run to clatter his head against the ball following a corner in the second half, but somehow didn’t hit the target. No problems defensively as usual.

RB - Jurrien Timber, 8

A pretty purring performance. Neat and diligent in his work as he enjoyed a licence to roam the pitch during attacking moves.

CM - Martin Odegaard, 7

Grew in influence in the second half but did miss that chemistry he has with Bukayo Saka. Slammed one free kick into the wall but did place a plum of a corner onto the boot of Declan Rice, who couldn’t quite volley home.

CM - Declan Rice, 9

The standout man tonight, that was a big shift. Would’ve got a 10 if his volley from a corner found the back of the net, which is nearly did. Ipswich couldn’t get hold of the Gunners midfielder.

CM - Kai Havertz, 8

The difference maker with that goal. Was in the right place at the right time to convert, something he is really getting the knack for. A little messy in some defensive work in the second half but found more influence in the Gunners’ build-up play when moving up top following the Jesus sub.

LW - Leandro Trossard, 7

A little casual at times but drifted in and out of the game. Brilliant piece of work to get to the line and pull back for Havertz to convert.

ST - Gabriel Jesus, 6

The goal glut couldn’t continue for the Brazilian tonight. Some nice work on the edge of the box but couldn’t hold his run well enough to stay onside when Arsenal had the ball in the net for a second time. Saw the little influence he did have fade in the second half before being replaced by Mikel Merino.

RW - Gabriel Martinelli, 7

Didn’t pack the same punch as Saka on that wing but that was a fairly confident performance, if lacking a real cutting edge at times.

SUB - Mikel Merino, 8

A really great cameo from the summer signing. Picked out an impressive lob pass in the run up to one goal scoring opportunity, which Havertz could not convert, and almost saw a decent curled shot turned in by Trossard. Defensively astute too.

SUB - Thomas Partey, 7

Came on to help see the game out in the centre of the park.