Ipswich 0-4 Arsenal: Match Report & 3 Talking Points as Trossard Brace Helps Gunners to Routine Win

Trossard at the Double as Arsenal Cruise Past Ipswich at Portman Road

PORTMAN ROAD — Arsenal fans made the journey to Suffolk hoping for a stress-free Sunday, and that’s exactly what they got as Mikel Arteta’s men eased to a 4-0 win over ten-man Ipswich Town. The victory not only offered a much-needed Premier League boost after their midweek Champions League exploits, but also reinforced the depth and dynamism in Arteta’s evolving squad.

With the Champions League semi-finals on the horizon and their domestic title hopes all but extinguished, the Gunners could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas. Instead, they turned on the style — helped in no small part by Leandro Trossard, who netted twice in a performance oozing with confidence and finesse.

Arsenal Return to Premier League Business in Style

Fresh from their dramatic triumph in Madrid, Arsenal were in cruise control from the first whistle. Bukayo Saka, electric down the right, was the creative spark behind much of their attacking play — and he didn’t take long to get involved. A smart passage of play saw him feed Trossard in the box, and the Belgian made no mistake with a slick finish into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.

Before Ipswich could regroup, they were two down. Again, Saka was involved, this time helping to build the move that saw Gabriel Martinelli arrive at the far post to tap in following a deft flick from Mikel Merino. The Gunners were purring, and Ipswich were floundering.

The home side’s task went from difficult to near-impossible shortly after. Left-back Leif Davis, frustrated and rash, lunged in dangerously on Saka and was shown a straight red card — a deserved decision that left Ipswich down to ten with over an hour to play.

Saka Shines — But Frustrates FPL Managers

Bukayo Saka somehow didn’t record a goal contribtution / BEN STANSALL/GettyImages

If you’re a Fantasy Premier League manager who loaded up on Saka ahead of Arsenal’s double gameweek, this one might sting. The winger was everywhere — lively, involved, relentless — but walked away with zero attacking returns.

He played a vital role in the buildup to both first-half goals but saw potential assists nicked away by a deflection here or an extra pass there. After Davis’ red card, Saka had three clear chances to score before half-time but couldn’t find the target, firing one wide and seeing another blocked.

And just when it looked like he might yet salvage some points, Arteta hauled him off before the hour mark — no doubt with Wednesday’s clash with Crystal Palace in mind. Fantasy managers may not forgive, but Arsenal fans will take comfort in knowing their star winger is being preserved for bigger challenges ahead.

Ipswich’s Premier League Time Ticking Down

This wasn’t just a bad result for Ipswich — it felt like the nail in the coffin. While Leicester City and Southampton have already been condemned to Championship football next season, Kieran McKenna’s side seem destined to join them, having fallen to 18th with just five games left.

Ipswich never really laid a glove on Arsenal. They started the second half with a touch of spirit, but with no Liam Delap — sidelined with a rib issue and only fit enough for a late cameo — and precious little support from midfield, they looked toothless up front. Even the typically bright Julio Enciso and Jack Clarke were stifled.

Their home form, or lack thereof, has been their undoing. Portman Road was once a fortress, but this season they’ve managed just one home win. It’s simply not enough, and the atmosphere in the stadium — quiet, resigned, and only punctuated by frustration — said it all.

Leandro Trossard’s False Nine Masterclass

Leandro Trossard scored a brace in Arsenal’s win / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Arsenal’s front line might not include a traditional striker at the moment, but it hardly matters when Trossard is in this kind of mood. Deployed once again as a false nine, he wreaked havoc by constantly drifting between the lines, pulling Ipswich defenders out of shape and creating space for others to exploit.

His opening goal was all about clever movement and composure, while his second — a crisp finish from the left of the box midway through the second half — sealed the game. His chemistry with Merino, who drifted forward from midfield to support him, was key. The two rotated fluidly, a nod to the Jesus-Havertz axis of seasons past.

This performance underlined why Arteta continues to trust Trossard in big moments. He’s not the flashiest player, but his intelligence, movement, and efficiency in front of goal offer something genuinely different — especially when Saka and Martinelli are in full flow out wide.

Young Guns Get Their Moment

With the result beyond doubt, Arteta handed Nathan Butler-Oyedeji his Premier League debut — a reward for his strong showings with the academy sides. The young forward looked confident in his brief cameo, stinging the palms of Alex Palmer with a decent strike moments after coming on.

Not long after, Ethan Nwaneri added Arsenal’s fourth, his deflected shot wrong-footing Palmer and adding a little extra shine to the scoreline. Nwaneri’s rise continues to be one of the more heartwarming stories from Hale End in recent years, and his ability to influence games even in short cameos bodes well for the club’s future.

Final Thoughts: A Comfortable Win That Keeps the Gunners Focused

Arsenal did what they had to do. Against a struggling, ill-disciplined Ipswich side, they looked polished and professional, brushing aside the opposition without breaking much of a sweat. The Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich looms, but Arteta’s decision to keep his team sharp with only subtle rotation paid off.

It wasn’t just the goals that impressed — it was the control. Even with some sloppy finishing and a bit of bad luck for certain players (looking at you, Saka), Arsenal were always in command. And with five league games remaining, including clashes with Palace and Forest, they’ll need

Ipswich are as good as down / BEN STANSALL/GettyImages

every ounce of that composure if they’re to secure a top-four spot — or dare we say, even top three.

The Three Big Talking Points

1. Trossard Steps Up Again

With Gabriel Jesus not at his best and Havertz out of favour, Trossard is proving to be Arteta’s trump card in the final third. His movement, vision, and finishing make him ideal for the false nine role — and with six league goals in his last seven starts, his form is hard to ignore.

2. Saka Stays Sharp, But Fantasy Owners Fume

Saka did everything but score or assist — and unfortunately, that’s what counts in FPL. Still, his influence on the game was undeniable, and his chemistry with Trossard and Martinelli remains crucial to Arsenal’s attacking threat.

3. Ipswich’s Relegation Feels Inevitable

Sunday’s match felt more like a formality than a fight. With morale low, no real attacking outlet, and a manager struggling to spark something new, Ipswich’s fate looks sealed. Only a miracle would save them now — and miracles are in short supply this season.