Verdict: Gabriel Jesus to score anytime
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Arsenal will welcome Ipswich to north London on Friday night.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have a real uphill battle on their hands in the race to claim a first Premier League title since 2004, the Gunners are enjoying an extend flurry. Putting in a dominant display last weekend as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp at Selhurst Park, the Gunners will be smelling another golden opportunity here. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure last week as they claimed an action-packed 5-1 win against Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta’s men will also be excited to make a return to home soil on Friday night. Opening December with a 2-0 victory against historic rivals Manchester United, Arsenal have not suffered a single defeat at the Emirates since the middle of April. It should also be noted, the Gunners have not conceded a single Premier League strike at the Emirates since a 2-2 stalemate against Liverpool on October 27th.
Arsenal Team News
Limping off away at Crystal Palace last weekend, Arsenal are once again expected to be without attacking talisman Bukayo Saka on Friday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, former Brighton defender Ben White remains on the sidelines.
Remarkably notching five goals in his back-to-back appearances against Crystal Palace over the past week, Gabriel Jesus will keep his spot leading the line. Settling for a spot on the bench away at Selhurst Park last weekend, Declan Rice should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.
Ipswich
As for the visitors, while Ipswich might have claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory away at Wolves earlier in the month, Kieran McKenna’s men came crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion last weekend. Blown away at Portman Road as they eventually fell to a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Newcastle, the Blues have drastically struggled to find any kin of fluidity. Opening December with a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, the one-time Manchester United coach has seen his squad lose four of their previous five Premier League appearances. Getting Boxing Day underway sat in the relegation zone, Ipswich couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. Winning just a pair of their 17 Premier League showdowns so far this season, it is no surprise that Friday’s guests are pencilled in as a landslide underdog this weekend.
Ipswich Team News
Picking up what was a costly booking against Newcastle last weekend, skipper Samy Morsy will serve a one-match suspension on Friday night. However, after serving his own respective one-game ban, attacking talisman Liam Delap will make a full return at the Emirates.
Not making a single appearance since the end of October and still dealing with a calf issue, Ireland international Chiedozie Ogbene remains on the sidelines. Despite making a cameo appearance at Portman Road last week, Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Arsenal vs Ipswich Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Ipswich last met for a competitive showdown back in January 2011, the Gunners collected a 3-0 EFL Cup victory in north London.
- Arsenal have not suffered a single defeat at the Emirates since the middle of April.
- Ipswich have lost four of their previous five Premier League appearances.
- Friday’s guests have conceded 32 goals in their 17 Premier League appearances so far this season.
- Former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has recorded five goals in his back-to-back appearances over the past week.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a stellar 5-1 romp away at Crystal Palace last weekend, Arsenal will be seeking a repeat performance here. Desperate to make up some ground in the Premier League title chase, Arteta’s side have gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Not suffering a single defeat at the Emirates since the middle of April, Friday’s hosts are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender here. With Ipswich slumping to a 4-0 drumming at home against Newcastle last time out, the relegation scrappers couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge.
Verdict: Gabriel Jesus to score anytime
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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