Arsenal ensured Liverpool must wait a little longer to be crowned Premier League champions after cruising to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday, April 20th.
Fresh from securing their place in the Champions League semi-finals, the Gunners dominated from the outset against the relegation-bound hosts. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 14th minute, turning home a Bukayo Saka cross that may have taken a slight touch from Martin Ødegaard.
Arsenal doubled their lead soon after when Saka’s delivery was cleverly flicked on by Mikel Merino for Gabriel Martinelli to tap into an empty net. Ipswich’s difficult task became near-impossible in the 32nd minute when defender Leif Davis was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Saka.
Trossard grabbed his second goal of the afternoon in the 69th minute, finishing smartly from inside the area following a well-worked short corner routine. Substitute Ethan Nwaneri rounded off the scoring two minutes from time with a deflected shot.
The victory means Liverpool, despite their win over Leicester, cannot mathematically secure the title just yet. For Arsenal, the focus now firmly shifts to their upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on April 29th.
With Thomas Partey suspended for that clash, manager Mikel Arteta may have used this match to trial a potential midfield configuration, deploying Declan Rice in a deeper role with Merino alongside Ødegaard.
A slight concern for Arteta was Saka requiring strapping on his ankle after being substituted following the tackle that led to Davis’s dismissal.
Ipswich Town, meanwhile, offered little resistance and appear destined for relegation after their 20th defeat of the league campaign. Manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the likelihood of the drop pre-match, and this result leaves their survival hopes hanging by the thinnest mathematical thread.
They visit Newcastle United next Saturday.
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