Arsenalvs.Ipswich

The title outsiders return from the Christmas festivities hoping to keep the momentum going from their 5-1 thumping of London rivals Crystal Palace, where Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net twice.

The Brazilian's brace made it five goals in two games for the born-again striker, who also struck a terrific hat-trick against the Eagles in the EFL Cup quarter-finals last week.

As Bukayo Saka begins his two-month absence with a hamstring injury this week, Jesus will be expected to retain his position in the starting lineup, either as the central striker or out on the right wing.

The in-form 27-year-old is just two goals away from making Arsenal history, as no Gunners player has ever scored multiple goals in three straight games across all competitions in the Premier League era.

Raya out to break David Seaman record in Ipswich battle

Five goals in two games is already as many as Jesus produced in his last 45; before netting his EFL Cup treble, he had to go back to December 2023 for his most recent goal at the Emirates Stadium.

The striker's first goal at Selhurst Park also ended an abysmal 11-month streak without a strike in the Premier League, and he is yet to lose a game in the competition where he has scored.

The former Manchester City striker has won 56 and drawn five of his 61 Premier League games where he has found the back of the net, and another new Arsenal record could also be set at the other end of the field on Friday.

Reigning Golden Glove winner Raya already has 22 Premier League clean sheets to his name in an Arsenal shirt, keeping a division-high 16 in 32 matches last term and already registering six from 17 games in 2023-24.

Friday's game will be Raya's 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal, and if the Spain international records another shut-out, he will break David Seaman's record for the most Gunners clean sheets after 50 Premier League matches.

However, Raya still has some way to go if he is to catch Seaman in the overall standings, as the ex-England international kept a staggering 141 Premier League clean sheets, the fifth-most in Premier League history.

If Kieran McKenna's men are kept at arm's length on Friday, Arsenal would have also kept four successive Premier League clean sheets at home; not since 2021 have Arteta's men managed that feat.

When did Arsenal and Ipswich last meet?

When Arsenal and Ipswich take to the field at the Emirates, it will mark the first time since 2011 that the two sides have met, renewing hostilities 13 years from that year's League Cup semi-finals.

Arsene Wenger's men suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Portman Road in the first leg, but they made amends with a 3-0 second-leg success at the Emirates before losing to Birmingham City in the final.

Written by

Ben Knapton