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Pundit Alan Shearer has shared his prediction for Arsenal's clash with Premier League minnows Ipswich Town. The Gunners will invite the Tractor Boys to the Emirates Stadium after Boxing Day (December 27), where the visitors are not expected to leave with a win.
With the hosts sitting in the top four and their opponents sitting in the relegation zone, a win will be expected for Mikel Arteta's side. However, they will need to quell any overconfidence against the newly-promoted club. Ipswich managed a draw against Manchester United at Portman Road and beat Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Arsenal will be without talisman Bukayo Saka, who has been behind the vast majority of their attacks and goalscoring this season. However, Alan Shearer believes they should succeed against Ipswich, even in the 23-year-old's absence. He said to Metro:
"Ipswich were awful against Newcastle and they made them look poor. It looks as though Arsenal are going to be without Saka for a period of time, which is a blow for them. Having said that, they should have enough to beat Ipswich."
The Gunners have faced the Tractor Boys twice in the past, with both games coming in the League Cup back in 2011. The London club won their game at home 3-0 while the away fixture saw Ipswich win 1-0.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks about Saka injury
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bukayo Saka's injury. The forward limped off the pitch in their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on December 21. He was later seen on crutches, raising concerns about the injury he had suffered.
It has now been determined that Saka has endured a hamstring injury, with Arteta telling the press that the 23-year-old would have to spend some time on the sidelines. The manager said (via Football.london):
"It’s not looking good. He’s gonna be out for many weeks... Many. I cannot be too specific because I don’t know but it will be many weeks."
When asked how much of a blow it would be to the squad, Arteta responded:
"It’s a huge one. He’s obviously a big player for us you just have to see the impact that he has on the team. It’s going to be a really good exercise for us to think of ways to overcome another challenge because we’ve had a lot over the season."
Bukayo Saka has been instrumental for Arsenal this season, scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists in just 24 games across all competitions.
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Edited by Ritwik Kumar