Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans held their breath when Leif Davis`s studs met Bukayo Saka in the 32nd minute.
A fit Saka is crucial for Arsenal`s Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain and their hopes for a spot in the Munich final.
Saka, who had been a menace to Ipswich for the first half-hour, went down in pain after a reckless tackle from Ipswich`s left-back Davis.
Arsenal manager Arteta and fans were more concerned about Saka`s condition than a red card for Davis, hoping he was not seriously hurt.
Despite the heavy challenge, Saka continued playing, even having opportunities to score a hat-trick before halftime.
Saka assisted Leandro Trossard`s opening goal, his 11th Premier League assist of the season, and contributed to Gabriel Martinelli`s goal.
Trossard later scored again, making it 3-0, and substitute Ethan Nwaneri added a fourth. Shortly after, Saka was substituted, and Arsenal`s medical team immediately applied ice to his right ankle.
While the injury is not expected to be serious, Arsenal will be anxiously waiting to see if there is any significant swelling when Saka reports for training at London Colney.
Arsenal`s next game is against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, followed by the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG at the Emirates the following Tuesday.
This victory for Arsenal delays Liverpool`s potential title celebrations and pushed Ipswich closer to relegation.
Throughout the second half, Arsenal supporters chanted, “we’ll never play you again,” a sentiment that might be premature as Ipswich are expected to be competitive in the Championship next season. However, considering their £130 million spending in recent transfer windows, their performance should have been better.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna will now focus on Championship preparations, while Arteta can concentrate on the upcoming Champions League semi-final against PSG.
Arteta is focused on managing player fitness, resting tired players, giving playtime to those needing it, and crucially, avoiding injuries, especially from unnecessary tackles like Davis’s.
Saka`s start was only his third for Arsenal since returning from a three-month hamstring injury.
He had started both games against Real Madrid but this was his first Premier League start since December 21 against Crystal Palace.
With Thomas Partey suspended for the first leg against PSG, Arteta is considering midfield options.
This game marked only the fourth time this season that Arteta started Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino in midfield. It was Rice’s first game at No.6 in three months.
One option is to keep Merino in midfield and Trossard in attack, both of whom performed effectively in this match.
While PSG, like Ipswich, wear blue, the comparison ends there, and Partey`s availability would have been beneficial.
Trossard, despite inconsistent form this season, found his scoring touch against Ipswich, adding to his season tally of seven goals.
After an initial blocked shot, Trossard was bound to have more opportunities as Arsenal consistently troubled Ipswich, especially on the right flank.
In the 14th minute, Odegaard advanced unchallenged, Saka delivered a cross, and Trossard, despite a challenge from Sam Morsy, shot through Dara O’Shea’s legs into the corner of the net.
Merino missed a chance to make it 2-0, heading wide from Saka’s corner.
Saka was again instrumental in the second goal, outpacing Jacob Greaves and passing to Merino, whose backheel flick deceived the Ipswich defense, allowing Martinelli an easy finish.
Davis’s tackle on Saka might have stemmed from frustration, although it didn`t appear malicious.
Saka was then jeered by home fans each time he touched the ball, which seemed unfair. He missed two good chances for a hat-trick before halftime, much to the amusement of the Ipswich crowd.
Arteta made substitutions before the hour mark, including taking off Saka. Arsenal then scored their third when Ipswich were caught out by Rice’s short corner, and Trossard scored through George Hirst’s legs past goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, Trossard was replaced by 22-year-old.
