IPSWICH SHOWDOWN
Arsenal vs. Ipswich at home should be a good day out for the home fans. McKenna is a very exciting young manager who pulled off an impressive feat of coaching to take a classic Premier League team of the '90s back to the big time, playing some seriously exciting football that was making its way into the world of mainstream compers.
But... as is always true of teams who get promoted, joga bonito football in the Premier League can only be executed by the very best players in the world. You need to spend £500m to survive this league playing that style of football. As a result of having a rich footballing philosophy on a LIDL budget, Ipswich have been whipping boys all season long. They've conceded 32 goals, lost 9 games, drawn 6, and have just two wins. They've lost 4 of their last 5. It's going to be a long afternoon against Arsenal, that's for sure.
But... every season, a small team scalps a big one. There is always a horror show result that makes you want to gouge your eyeballs out. I have to be real with you, I do NOT want that to happen to us.
This game is going to be a test for our players. They'll be fresher after a few extra days off and a Christmas (or nice day off) at home. But... this is the first game post-Saka breakdown. Arteta gets the chance to shuffle the pack, bring a new idea to the table, and the boys will have the chance to show that life will go on and Arsenal will continue to battle Liverpool until the very end of the season.