Premier League - Ipswich Town vs Arsenal Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town vs Arsenal FC



Sunday 20th April 2025 – 14:00



Portman Road









Pre Match Thoughts - Mike


I felt our performance at Chelsea was a decent effort all things considered, yes we had our backs to the wall at times while they dominated the ball and possession, we also had Alex Palmer to thank for some superb Second half saves which kept us in it but let's not ignore the fact we too looked dangerous on the break at times and twice in that first half we picked them off with aplomb to take a shock Two goal lead, both our goals saw us play some quality Football and exposed Chelsea's defence for what it is.

I can't really remember Palmer having that much to do in the first half other than the routine stuff that you would expect a keeper to do and as such our defence handled a good Chelsea attack very well, they did of course hit the post early doors and that was the nearest they came to breaching our rearguard. Scoring our first goal in the 20th Minute courtesy of Enciso's first for the club meant Chelsea had conceded at home for the first time since 3rd Feb, yes it was against the run of play but we had been ok up to that point.

I think from the moment we opened the scoring we looked the team in the ascendancy as we started to take the game to our hosts. Cajuste came close with a decent effort. Not long after that effort we incredibly doubled our lead thanks to Ben Johnson's first goal for the club, Enciso this time turning provider with an decent cross having been played in by Jack Clarke. As is often the case the goal wasn't confirmed until VAR had stuck it's ugly head into proceedings but this was a very rare occurrence as for once the decision went our way with Enciso confirmed as being just onside.

Town had to endure a bit of a surge from Chelsea as half time approached but it was vital we went in Two ahead and this we managed to do to set up a great second half and a real chance for Town to cause a major upset. Chelsea had clearly had much of the half but we had defended pretty well for most of the Forty Five Minutes and the Londoners were finding it hard to have any real clear cut chances on target.

As often is the case Town came out for the second half in Third gear and within half a minute Chelsea had pulled a goal back as Axel Tuanzebe turned the ball into his own net, the goal was allowed to happen thanks to some schoolboy defending from Burgess & Davis who let Madueke round the back of them way too easily, it was a disastrous start to the half and in an instant the game had swung and had given all the incentive to Chelsea who could probably smell blood already.

Cole Palmer was now running the Midfield as Town struggled to get on the ball for any period of time, that said George Hirst had an excellent chance of getting Town's third as he curled a shot from distance just wide of the far post with the keeper beaten, it was a warning to Chelsea that we were far from done and moments later the big Striker had another chance to score, this time with his head but he failed to get any decent contact on the ball.

Town were creating chances with Enciso, Clarke and Cajuste also having efforts but at the other end Palmer was equally as busy with shots going into the side netting and just over the bar. Town made changes, Philogene appeared and disappeared almost as quickly while Delap, Townsend & Broadhead also entered the fray. By now Palmer in Town's goal was becoming a pivotal player although there was nothing he could do to keep out Jaden Sancho's screamer that got the home side level, it was a peach of a strike into the top corner with Palmer well beaten.

It was a real end to end finish with Town having chances and Palmer pulling off an incredible save to thwart Chalobah from winning it for the hosts. Town had a chance to win it in the dying seconds but Jack Taylor couldn't keep his effort down and the chance was gone. Even then we still had Palmer to thank for another incredible save, this time Cole Palmer being denied with Chelsea players, staff and fans alike all left with their heads in their hands, Fernandez still found time to almost become the hero but Palmer was not to be denied as once again he was up to the task as he completed what for me was a MOTM performance and in doing so secured us a decent point at a very hard place to take anything from.

The only real downside for me is that I just feel even if we had a Four goal lead we would find a way how not to win the game, we just cannot see games out, not even with a decent lead and this is why we are where we are and facing relegation in the face, Seventeen other teams in the Premier League probably go on to win that game having established a Two goal lead, clearly this is a problem that has beset us all season long.

There are now Six games left to endure in this difficult season and next up it is Arsenal FC who have just gone to Real Madrid and won, if that doesn't give you the size of the task then nothing will, it will take a mammoth effort to stop the Champions League Semi-Finalist's from taking a routine victory over us. I think all Town can do is just go out to enjoy the occasion, keep it tight early doors, try to frustrate them, get the home crowd behind them and take any chance that fall our way.

I am expecting nothing from the game and that is often when I am left pleasantly surprised by Town. Sadly I will be absent for this One as I enjoy a few days away in the beautiful Polish City of Krakow but I will be hoping Town can turn the form table upset down and get what would be only their Second home win of the season, a Chelsea & Arsenal home double, how good would that be !! COYB'S.




The Opposition – Arsenal FC Honours



Domestic


First Division/Premier League

1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1970–71, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2003–04

FA Cup

1929–30, 1935–36, 1949–50, 1970–71, 1978–79, 1992–93, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2019–20

EFL Cup

1986–87, 1992–93

FA Community Shield

1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1948, 1953, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023

Football League Centenary Trophy

1988


Continental


Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

1969–70

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

1993–94




Manager - Mikel Arteta







League Table as at 17.04.2025







Form Guide



Ipswich Town




8 Mar Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Ipswich Town

15 Mar Ipswich Town 2 - 4 Nottm Forest

2 Apr Bournemouth 1 - 2 Ipswich Town

5 Apr Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Wolverhampton

13 Apr Chelsea 2 - 2 Ipswich Town





Arsenal FC




9 Mar Manchester Utd 1 - 1 Arsenal

16 Mar Arsenal 1 – 0 Chelsea

1 Apr Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham

5 Apr Everton 1 - 1 Arsenal

12 Apr Arsenal 1 - 1 Brentford




Head to Head







Match Referee – Christopher Kavanagh







IPSWICH TOWN 1 ARSENAL FC 1

[hallamblue]

Ever the optimist, until I get to the game lol.....1-1 ...I hope , but would prefer that allusive win.

[EveryoneKnowsaDave]

1-4 Arsenal

[RRanger]

It has to be the best possible time to play Arsenal with them having just won at the Bernebau, and with nothing left to play for in the league and all thoughts on PSG in the semi-final of the Champion's Cup ,I would imagine that Arteta will rest a few key players and those remaining will have half a mind on not getting injured so I'm going to go for doing a home double over Chelsea and Arsenal. Unduly optimistic but why not ? Incidentally in a funny sort of way I'm looking forward to the comings and goings in the summer . With a bagful of funds it'll be very interesting who we get in to get us promoted from the Championship at the first call of asking, which I think will happen. I believe Ashton and KMc when they said it was a project and I'm sure McKenna will want another crack at the Premier League without some of the naive mistakes he made this season and the stubborness he showed in persevering with Muric for so long. I just wonder whether we'd still be much closer to Wolverhampton if we'd had Palmer in goal much earlier.

[marko69]

Nice preview, Mike. As exasperated as you've been this season, you still knock these out with ease. Think I've said it before in the past; I know you've said you work for the NHS but if you do not do freelance journalism for "the press", you're missing a trick.
And Caribbean to Poland? ---->> sack that last idea --->> you're making too much money!

And nice post, RRanger, you may have a very good point in that Arsenal may be reluctant to show any effort in this. And I've already predicted a 3-1 Gunners result in the Prediction League. I'll need to stick with that but there are very viable chances that Ipswich could take points. The previews prediction of 1-1 could be bang on the money.
Watch the Gooners now win 5-1.

Caption:
Arteta: "I love, how you say, ALL your decisions today. referee. You were, how you say, fantasteek."
Ref: (Picture)

[Bluemike]

Cheers Marko, not gonna lie it's been a struggle last few weeks and I think the content of the preview notes has sometimes been too negative and not what people want to read but it's difficult at times to see it any other way.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

With a bagful of funds it'll be very interesting who we get in to get us promoted from the Championship at the first call of asking, which I think will happen.

Genuine question here - and not trying to be provocative in any way - but given that nobody knows yet who we will face next season and nobody yet knows the strength of the various squads next season, surely this statement is, at present, pure fantasy?

[marko69]

Genuine question here - and not trying to be provocative in any way

[ashfordblue]

I think Arsenal will put a few younger players out and not their strongest team as they are more concentrating on the European Cup and they cant win the league so I'm going for a 3-1 win, crosses fingers and Toes COYB as draws are not going to help

[Charnwood]

I don’t think so Ash. I think Arteta will play his big guns to try to secure second place in the EPL and guarantee Champions League football next season.

[mugen1]

Davis vs Saka, we're screwed

[Charnwood]

Dam, just received a goal alert and didn’t know we’d kicked off. I thought it was 4pm ko Spain time. Goal looked a big diff to me, I assume we’re under the cosh ?

No Delap again ? Are we preparing for life without him or us he still injured ?

[Charnwood]

Great second goal from Arsenal, this could get embarrassing.

[Steve and Jo]

Delap been carrying an injury for couple of weeks.

Sell Davis, get some money in for him because as a left back he hasn't a clue. Great going forwards but defensively he hasn't a clue. Went gun ho for their second goal. Got himself way out of position

Maybe in the Championship when hope we are more of a threat going forwards he may shine but honestly. He is is no left back. Townsend is much better option in my opinion

[JamessB]

Red card for Davis, we are going to be embarrassed this afternoon

[Steve and Jo]

Well, say no more

[Charnwood]

Leif Davis off, it looks a tad harsh as it wasn’t particularly malicious or violent but so unnecessary. I guess it’s a problem being up against Saka where you’re so often caught out of position.

[Mauswara]

Might be getting a bit agricultural here.

[mugen1]

Davis vs Saka, we're screwed

Okay, worse than screwed!

[Charnwood]

For me Davis has been our most disappointing player this season as I thought he would step up and be one of our better ones. After a year in the premier league I think his value has actually reduced.

[Steve and Jo]

Leif Davis off, it looks a tad harsh as it wasn’t particularly malicious or violent but so unnecessary. I guess it’s a problem being up against Saka where you’re so often caught out of position.

But he was so slow, got caught and the challenge though maybe harsh was certainly naughty. He looked like out of his depth to be honest

[JamessB]

Davis has been out of his depth defensively all season, just not good enough

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Painful viewing here in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

A couple of special criticisms...................

Davis - awful unnecessary challenge fully deserving of a red card and showing that in addition to not being a very good defender he clearly doesn't have much of a brain.

Greaves - totally at fault for the second goal and had no answer at all to Saka. No muscle, no speed, he's nothing more than a big nancy.

We need to replace both of these to have any chance in the Championship next season.

[Charnwood]

Painful viewing here in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

A couple of special criticisms...................

Davis - awful unnecessary challenge fully deserving of a red card and showing that in addition to not being a very good defender he clearly doesn't have much of a brain.

Greaves - totally at fault for the second goal and had no answer at all to Saka. No muscle, no speed, he's nothing more than a big nancy.

We need to replace both of these to have any chance in the Championship next season.

Unless we have leavers I don’t think we should be spending any money in the close season. Assuming we only lose Delap, Burgess and our loanees we should have a squad more than adequate to rebound and save money for our second attempt at the EPL. Maybe second time lucky.

[Charnwood]

I hate fans who boo unnecessarily. Given this game is lost I’d love to see Saka score to shut these dumb fuckers up. Unfortunately it’s not going to happen as he’s now going off.

[Steve and Jo]

I hate fans who boo unnecessarily. Given this game is lost I’d love to see Saka score to shut these dumb fuckers up. Unfortunately it’s not going to happen as he’s now going off.

If they showed the challenge Davis did on Sacka on the big screen I doubt he would of been booed

Just wanting this game over. I have no idea on the managers thoughts for next season but I would think need a striker at least to replace Delap plus another midfielder

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Last year we had a number of fans saying that Davis should get an England chance

He's been very, very poor this season. Nowhere near a PL full-back.

[mugen1]

Think a few have always questioned his defensive capabilities!

[hallamblue]

Oh well, it's another shitty game to endure . We never laid a finger on them, but with McKennas approach, it's hardly surprising - we rarely got out of our own defending box the whole game.... and losing Davis to a straight red (so that's him out for practically the rest of the season).

I know it's a massive step up. The huge number of injuries we've had and minimal experience in a squad that's had to be luterally assembled over the summer ( but rarely has the promotion winning players hor a look in either), its hard to be positive about anything right now.

I actually watched the game today totally dispassionate about it because we offered absolutely nothing. Arsenal players were treating it like a training match, and still, we couldn't get near them. There was " no meaningful match" between the two teams, and it was boring, to me!

I think McKenna should be using the final games to try different approaches, but of voyage he won't. I find all so very disheartening tbh .... on to Newcastle!

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Oh well, it's another shitty game to endure . We never laid a finger on them, but with McKennas approach, it's hardly surprising - we rarely got out of our own defending box the whole game.... and losing Davis to a straight red (so that's him out for practically the rest of the season).

I know it's a massive step up. The huge number of injuries we've had and minimal experience in a squad that's had to be luterally assembled over the summer ( but rarely has the promotion winning players hor a look in either), its hard to be positive about anything right now.

I actually watched the game today totally dispassionate about it because we offered absolutely nothing. Arsenal players were treating it like a training match, and still, we couldn't get near them. There was " no meaningful match" between the two teams, and it was boring, to me!

I think McKenna should be using the final games to try different approaches, but of voyage he won't. I find all so very disheartening tbh .... on to Newcastle!

McKenna and different approach? He is the same as Russell Martin. Same school. Stuck in his principals regardless of circumstances.

Awaiting him or any player to come out and say for the 54th time this season that we have learnt a lot.