Arsenal moved into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, as Kai Havertz’s first-half goal secured a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium.

It looked like Arsenal were in for a comfortable evening when Havertz converted Leandro Trossard’s cross from close range in the 23rd minute to score his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

But without Bukayo Saka, whose hamstring injury will keep him out for more than two months following surgery, the Gunners were unable to capitalize on their dominance, missing a number of chances in the second half and ensuring the visitors secured 19th place and remained in the game until the very end .

Gabriel Magalhaes missed Arsenal’s best chance, heading Declan Rice’s corner wide from a few yards out, while Martin Odegaard and substitute Mikel Merino were denied by Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

At the other end, Arsenal barely allowed anything, with Ipswich registering just three shots, none of which troubled David Raya, but Mikel Arteta, who deployed Gabriel Martinelli in Saka’s position on the right, will be hoping they find more power for their upcoming trips Brentford and Brighton are trying to keep up with Liverpool.

The win puts Arsenal ahead of Chelsea, who lost to Fulham on Boxing Day, and six points behind Liverpool, who still have a game in hand. Ipswich remained 19th but received a warm ovation from the traveling fans for their performances in the game.

Arteta: Saka will have to take a break for more than two months after the operation

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed Bukayo Saka underwent surgery to repair his hamstring after the game, meaning the striker will be out for at least two months, dealing a major blow to the Gunners’ title hopes.

“He had a procedure and everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks,” he said. “I think it will take more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer.”

“I think it will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal in the first week or so, its mobility. Let’s see. It’s very difficult to say.”

There was better news Raheem Sterlings but an injury. Arteta said: “We will have to see how he develops this week but we expected the knee injury to probably last longer than it actually developed in the last few days. Hopefully that’s good because we need him.”

On Arsenal’s performance, Arteta added: “I’m very happy with the win, the goals we conceded and parts of the game. It was a very difficult opponent after a long series of games. It was about margins and we could have scored more goals. “But the most important thing is how we handled the end of the game.

“We should have scored more goals, but our defense was excellent and that will always give us the chance to win games.”

Analysis: Arteta still needs to work on finding a formula without Saka

Arteta promised Arsenal would be “different” without Saka. He knows that he has no direct replacement for the 23-year-old. However, based on this evidence, it could take some time to find a working formula in his absence as he begins an extended period on the sidelines.

Martinelli was chosen to take on the role of Arsenal’s right winger after impressing after switching to the side following Saka’s withdrawal in the win at Crystal Palace, but he struggled as he failed to register a single shot created chances or even just completed a dribble.

The goal came from the opposite side of the pitch when Trossard turned away from Ben Johnson and sent a teasing cross into the six-yard box where Havertz struck. But Arsenal continued to direct a greater proportion of their attacks down the right.

Martinelli wasn’t the only one they were looking at. Martin Odegaard provided support and Arteta’s front line was more fluid than usual, with Gabriel Jesus and Havertz also appearing on that flank and swapping positions with each other before Jesus was substituted.

Their freedom of movement caused Ipswich problems at times, but Arsenal generally struggled to create chances, except for one moment in the second half when they fired brilliantly at the visitors’ goal.

In the end it didn’t matter. Arsenal got the result they needed to overtake Chelsea and stay in touch with Liverpool at the top of the table. But there is still a lot of work to be done as they prepare for an extended period without their best and most effective attacking player.

“Special” Lewis-Skelly deserves praise

Mikel Arteta described Myles Lewis Skelly rated as “special” after putting in another confident performance at left-back at the Emirates Stadium

The 18-year-old kept his place in the team despite four left-backs – Riccardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior – sitting on the bench.

“He’s a special character – he has the ability to ask certain questions that I don’t have the answers to,” Arteta said Amazon Prime.

“He’s way ahead of his age, so mature. He has a good environment and a really good family. He has adapted well to the way we play. He deserves a lot of praise.”

The 18-year-old has demonstrated outstanding composure and technical ability throughout his career with the team, completing all but five of his 180 passes in four starts.

Keep doing the same and Arsenal’s other left-backs will have a hard time dislodging him from the team.

McKenna: We have worked hard to stay competitive

Ipswich Boss Kieran McKenna:

“We knew tonight that we had to be solid and resilient in the game. We wanted to give ourselves a chance to stay in the game in the first half and give ourselves a chance to attack more in the second half.”

“In the first half we were deeper than we wanted. But the way we stabilized in the second half and managed to improve a bit put the game in a really healthy position and pushed for the equalizer.”

“I think a lot of work was done between that first goal and the end of the game to keep the competition going.”

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