Leandro Trossard netted twice and Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri once each as Arsenal comfortably beat 10-man Town 4-0 at Portman Road to inflict the Blues’ seventh successive home loss - a new club record - and move relegation a step nearer to being confirmed. There was really only one side in it throughout with Trossard giving the Gunners the lead on 14, before Martinelli added the second in the 18th minute, prior to Leif Davis being shown a straight red card for catching Bukayo Saka high up the back of his calf, then in the second half Trossard added a third on 69 and sub Nwaneri a fourth with two minutes left on the clock.

Town made one change from the team which drew 2-2 at Chelsea last week with Jacob Greaves coming in for Cameron Burgess at the centre of the defence.

The Australian international dropped to a bench which also included Ben Godfrey, in the squad for the first time since the Tottenham game two months ago.

George Hirst kept his place as the number nine with Liam Delap, who suffered a rib injury against Wolves a fortnight ago, again a sub.

On the bench for the first time was left-back Somto Boniface, the 19-year-old having joined the Blues from Chelsea in January and having been impressive in the U21s in recent weeks, scoring in his last two matches.

Conor Townsend and Nathan Broadhead were both absent from the 20-man squad, while Omari Hutchinson and Kalvin Phillips also remain unavailable.

Arsenal made three changes from the team which completed a 5-1 on-aggregate Champions League victory over Real Madrid in midweek with Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Trossard coming in for Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Thomas Partey, who were all on the bench. Saka started in the Premier League for the first time since December.

Unsurprisingly, the Gunners dominated possession from the off, but in the fifth minute, Jens Cajuste won the ball just outside the Town area and drove forward but the Sweden international’s ball for Hirst to chase was too far in front of the Blues striker.

Arsenal threatened for the first time moments later, Saka getting round the back of Davis on the right of the box and cutting inside to Trossard but Axel Tuanzebe did very well to get across to block.

On nine, Julio Enciso cut in from the left and hit a shot which smashed against White with Town claims for handball - mainly from the fans - rightly ignored by referee Chris Kavanagh.

On 14, Enciso dispossessed Declan Rice not far outside the box then took the ball forward to the edge of the area before failing to find Hirst with a pass.

And from that attack breaking down, Arsenal counter-attacked and took the lead. Saka was fed on the right by skipper Martin Odegaard and the England international cut the ball inside. Odegaard failed to get a significant touch but it ran to Trossard on the penalty spot and, despite a Sam Morsy challenge putting him on the floor, the Belgian international was able to shoot through Dara O’Shea’s legs and past Alex Palmer to his right.

Goalscorer Trossard blazed over on 18, then on 22 Jack Clarke looped a cross-shot well over after a sharp Town break down the right, Cajuste having instigated the move.

But play quickly moved back to the other end, Tuanzebe blocking from Martinelli for the first of two corners. From the second, Mikel Merino headed wide at close range at the far post having escaped Tuanzebe perhaps having more of an eye on not colliding with the woodwork than directing the ball into the net.

However, the Gunners didn’t have to wait too long for their second. In the 29th minute, Saka again cut back from the right, Merino flicked it towards the back post with the inside of his right heel and Martinelli tapped home.

Three minutes later, Town’s afternoon got even worse when Davis was shown a straight red card, the first of his career.

The left-back stabbed a boot at the back of Saka’s heel with the forward’s back to him just over halfway. Saka leapt dramatically into the air and referee Kavanagh showed little hesitation in dismissing the former Leeds United man.

VAR took a look at it before confirming the decision, Davis having caught Saka well up the back of his leg with his studs with the ball well in front of the Arsenal man, who was OK to continue after treatment.

The Blues immediately made a change, bringing Burgess on for Clarke and moving Greaves to left-back.

The game continued in much the same vein as before the red card and on 37 Saka, booed by the Town support, cut in from the right and shot across the face and wide.

Saka, whether deservedly or otherwise, Portman Road’s pantomime villain, missed another good opportunity a minute later, shooting wide with only Palmer to beat, much to the delight of the North Stand.

Three minutes before the break, Saka hit a low shot from a tight angle on the right which Palmer claimed low.

Moments later, Saka was at the centre of things again, sweeping a low Trossard cross from the right wide, catching O’Shea with his studs with the follow through, causing the North Stand to ambitiously call for a red card.

On 45, referee Kavanagh awarding Town only their second free-kick of the half, Hirst having been fouled by Jakub Kiwior on halfway, received the biggest cheer at that point, the official having been somewhat reluctant to give decisions in the Blues’ favour.

Arsenal maintained the pressure in five additional minutes without seriously threatening to score again before the whistle, Saka receiving more boos as he left the field.

Aside from a couple of early Town counter-attacks, there had only been one side in it from the start and Arsenal goals seemed only a matter of time, the Blues having been caught committing players forward but still with enough men back to have defended the break better.

It was difficult seeing the Blues come back from 2-0 down with 11 men, let alone 10, Davis making a frustrated and rash stab for a ball which wasn’t there to be won and catching Saka well up the back of his leg.

Town, with a long half ahead of them, swapped Enciso for Jack Taylor ahead of the restart with the Blues playing a 5-3-1 system.

The second half began as the first had ended, Odegaard hitting a shot from a tight angle on the left which Palmer bundled behind for another flag-kick with the Gunners pinning the Blues back in their penalty area.

Town eventually dug their way out of their own final third and on 53 created an opportunity, Ben Johnson crossing low to Hirst with his back to goal just inside the box but the ball was taken away from the Scotland international as he sought to lay it back to Cajuste.

Three minutes later, Morsy drove forward from inside the Town half and played forward to Hirst on the left, the striker cutting in and hitting a low shot only just past David Raya’s left post.

Arsenal made their first changes of the game moments later in the 57th minute, Saka, who was again booed as he left the field, and Merino making way for Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Gunners continued to dominate and prod and probe for a third, although without too much urgency, the three Town centre-halves getting their heads to crosses and Palmer claiming everything which came his way.

On 65, Palmer took a Blues free-kick from just inside his own half and found O’Shea to the left of the box, the Irish international centre-half nodding down to Taylor, whose effort was blocked.

Three minutes later, a Martinelli shot from the left of the area was deflected wide for the first of two corners. From the second, the ball was played to Martinelli on the edge of the box but his strike was blocked with Arsenal subsequently winning a third corner on the left from which they added their third goal.

Town, who up to that point had defended assiduously since the break, were caught asleep as the ball was played to Rice, who moved it on to Trossard, who had been left completely on his own and fired low across Palmer and into the corner of the net.

In the 73rd minute, Arsenal swapped Martinelli and Rice for Raheem Sterling and Kieran Tierney.

The Blues made two further changes in the 82nd minute with Hirst and Cajuste, Town’s best two performers on the day, making way for Delap and Massimo Luongo. Two minutes later, Arsenal swapped Trossard for Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.

On 87, Oleksandr Zinchenko hit a free-kick into the wall, then Odegaard hit the post with an effort from the right of the box.

Palmer then made a sharp save, tipping a first-time effort from sub Butler-Oyedeji over the bar but a fourth Arsenal goal came following the resultant corner.

Odegaard played a pass to Nwaneri in space on the right of the area and the sub cut in and hit a shot which deflected off both O’Shea and Burgess and into the net.

As the fourth official indicated four additional minutes, Town swapped Morsy for Conor Chaplin.

Zinchenko shot narrowly over, then Taylor scraped an effort from distance well wide before referee Kavanagh ended a game Town had never looked like taking anything from.

Davis’s red card had made life even tougher, but at 2-0 down taking anything from the game had already looked a hopeless task against a very composed Arsenal side which looked a level above the Chelsea team the Blues matched a week ago.

The challenge which led to Davis’s dismissal - the left-back will now miss three games including next week's trip to Newcastle, the club he supports - probably wouldn’t have led to a card a decade or so ago but it was high up the back of Saka’s leg with his studs catching the Arsenal man and it was difficult to argue against it.

In the second half, the Blues defended resolutely until being caught cold at the corner which led to the third goal with the fourth coming via a similar route.

Town have now lost seven in a row for the first time at home in their history and relegation will be confirmed next week at Newcastle unless the Blues win at St James’ Park and West Ham lose at Brighton.

Town: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c) (Chaplin 90), Cajuste (Luongo 82), Johnson, Enciso (Taylor 46), Clarke (Burgess 35), Hirst (Delap 82). Unused: Walton, Woolfenden, Godfrey, Boniface, Chaplin.

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, White, Saka (Nwaneri 55), Odegaard (c), Martinelli (Sterling 73), Kiwior, Zinchenko, Trossard (Butler-Oyedeji 84), Merino (Lewis-Skelly 55), Rice (Tierney 73). Unused: Neto, Partey, Timber, Henry-Francis. Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire). VAR: Darren England. Att: 29,549 (Arsenal: 2,955).

Photo: Matchday Images

Bluewhiteboy added 18:28 - Apr 20 People saying its ok as we've lost to arsenal at home, what about the previous 6 teams before that! Then same people saying can't wait for championship! Must be new fans as a few years back couldn't wait to be out of it. I think our main bit of luck is Leicester and Southampton (if no major changes) are likely not to improve. However likes of Birmingham will certainly compete, I wouldn't be surprised if Coventry spend big too as a few teams night think this is a good time. I still think the manager should stay but owners will look to punish those who squandered so much cash!

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HOG500 added 18:32 - Apr 20 Town1Inter0 called it: ‘Saka vs Davis. It’s not going to turn out very well.’
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Tedray added 18:42 - Apr 20 Not a contest - another embarassing defeat.I thank the manager for past success but this is now.Poor tactics etc at times, poor recruitment which may cost us millions - seems like we cannot even sell Delap for his proper value. Only one home win all season but the manager seems untouchable.He must be accountable to someone as his performance needs debating big time.
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tractorboybig added 18:43 - Apr 20 the worst home performance yet, clueless manager, and for the happy clappers next season is going to be difficult
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barrystedmunds added 19:03 - Apr 20 Arsenal spent almost the same amount as us on ONE player and yet some on here think we should be going toe to toe with them! The gulf is huge between the two divisions as is borne out by the fact, yet again, the promoted three are going straight back down and who would bet against it being repeated this time next season. One trick managers and no plan Bs really question just exactly what people’s expectations were for this season. As for some of the comments!!

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papashango87 added 19:05 - Apr 20 I always look forward to Lee James comments, I don’t know how we don’t win more games with him saying what the winning team should be every week. The years of footballing experience he and some of the other experts have on here. Light years ahead of McKenna obviously. So quick to write someone off after 3 years in management, you would have got rid of the likes of Robson and Ferguson with that sort of attitude. Genuine fans are not happy clappers, I’m certainly not one. But I’m actually realistic at where we were likely to finish this season. Sean Dyche as manager - genuinely the hardest I’ve laughed in a long time thank you for that.

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Gazelle added 19:08 - Apr 20 Some of the messages on here make me angry and depressed and I can’t believe they come from genuine fans like me. Two years ago we were mid table in League One with little expectation of getting into the Championship let alone the Premier League but it’s thanks to our exceptional manager that we jumped two leagues and have now had the privelige of competing against the best teams in the world. Yes we’ve struggled but did anyone else expect anything different against sides with fewer than 5 English players in their squad. Injuries haven’t helped but we are where we are and I for one am looking forward to some tussles against the likes of Stoke, Blackburn and another I won’t mention. My season ticket will be renewed as soon ss they’re available and I trust I’ll see you all at Portman Road next season.

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VanDusen added 19:23 - Apr 20 Agreed - I'll be renewing my season ticket next year and looking forward to being in now the 2nd most watched league in Europe and certainly the one that produces the most excitement to quality ratio by a long chalk. As for the following season - if we end DO up back in this farce of a league then the jury's out after decades... I won't miss just about everything about the PL. But most of all I will be glad the home crowds at Blackburn, Stoke or Swansea won't be pointing and taking photos of fans in the away end supporting their team like we're some sort of rare animal specimen to show their friends!? All the time whilst zero atmosphere is created in the home end.

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ringwoodblue added 19:25 - Apr 20 We made the first three goals so easy for Arsenal but we couldnt do much about the fourth one. We gave the ball away consistently and couldnt make it past the halfway line enough to even lay a glove on them. Can’t wait for this season to be over so we can hopefully start to dominate games again and win more than once in a blue moon.
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armchaircritic59 added 19:37 - Apr 20 To those who are glad we are dropping out of the Premier League in order to watch some rather more winnable games. The likelyhood of us doing so will quite possibly mean a return to the league you despise so much. So maybe you'd be better off hoping we have a nightmare in the Championship too! I for one know which I'd prefer, let me see, Liverpool or Preston? Arsenal or Millwall? Etc, etc.

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Leejames99 added 19:41 - Apr 20 @papashango No point post as with most of the others who look for any excuse to protect Mckenna, these are your excuses have a look it's senseless Gulf between prem and Championship too big boohoo Funny Leicester won it Really bad signings Like who and who would you of proffered They are Arsenal boohoo Well Leicester just played well vs Liverpool Season too soon - nonsense what was another season in Championship going to do, I for one wouldn't be happy having bought a season ticket knowing the aim is too just do okay We try hard, it's ridiculous. We shouldn't of dropped Muric We should of played new signings I'm getting bored of these so called fans accepting defeats as okay, looking forward to Championship and don't want to go back to nasty premiership. Just want king mckenna and the cosy bunch with no outsiders. The reason Robson and Ferguson became so good is a million miles from soft Mckenna, can you imagine him giving hairdryer treatment , he doesn't have an ounce of passion he rather give a cuddle than a curse. Ferguson and Robson evolved their teams, dropped players and sold players no matter who they were. And that's why we need a Dyche or a Gerrard or someone with passion that rubs off on players, not a well done for trying rubbish. I'm with the owners to have established Prem success to be their year after year, good cup runs. With Keiron Mckenna and Co that is not happening, they took us as far as their talent could, we now need the appropriate manager and players for the next stage in Towns history. The quicker Mckenna and those legacy players are gone the quicker we can continue making Ipswich Town great again

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bluebullet29l added 19:45 - Apr 20 Everyone saying that arsenal have just beaten real Madrid is irrelevant...what about the rest of the sh#te season....one win at home says it all...this game today has not defined our season but the rest of the crap has...poor signings...poor tactics...questionable substitutions...no plan b..well I'm sorry but that equals. a poor manager.. he's failed plain and simple.

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nadytractor added 19:47 - Apr 20 I'm not sure why we are getting on the back of McK and Ashton. We're 5 years ahead of schedule. Looking back at the 2-1 win against Sunderland last season, I think we all would've been happy with a 16th place finish. Look at where we are, the premier league in 2 seasons. When Ashton took over, of someone had said to any one of us that we would be in the premier league within 3 years they would've been laughed out of the room. Yes, ther have been some massive e disappointments this season but let's all have a little perspective.

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Leejames99 added 20:03 - Apr 20 6 years ahead of schedule that sounds exciting then so we be in another decade before we go back season 30/31 we'll what fun, that's really ambitious for a supporter, just happy to play Championship, not worried about promotion just a possible win vs Stoke, a wave from Mck and a 3 cheers from Clarke and a grin from Hirst 3 or 4 times a season. What nonsense Nobody is knocking Ashton he and owners done great, as did Mckenna and team but they served their club to their level, they are at their peak, the club is not! How long does Mckenna get a free pass, he didn't even sign most these players Paul Cook did! "Mckenna gonna give you up, cause you sent us down, we gonna have to turn it around without you" "Mckenna time to say goodbye, Mckenna now some fans will cry, Mckenna we are still aiming so high without you' to Rick Astley for last game vs West Ham farewell game

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SickParrot added 20:06 - Apr 20 For the first half of the season Kieran's mantra was was (justifiably) small margins, because we were competitive in all but 3 of 19 games and our performances deserved more than the 15 points we had taken. Since the turn of the year we have been much less competitive and don't deserve more than the 6 points we have taken and Kieran is now reminding us how far we have come in the last 3 years and how difficult it is to be competitive in the Premier League. Whilst he is correct, I wonder if this us sending the wrong message to the players. They no longer play as if they believe that they can win a game. This may explain why Johnson recently said that the players had done the club proud. They've certainly given 100% but that is to be expected but 6 points in 2025 and 7 straight home defeats is nothing to be proud of.

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dusth added 20:11 - Apr 20 Sick parrots out in force tonight. Put your hoods up. Grow a pair. Come on you Blues!
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Carberry added 20:35 - Apr 20 Grow a pair, how hilarious is that. Everyone who sees the problem and spells it out already has a pair, dusth.
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RobsonWark added 20:37 - Apr 20 Leejames99 added 18:25 - Apr 20 "@growyourown He is joint top with on 5 mistakes with 2 other keepers. None of his mistakes led to losses only equalisers". You do not watch any matches that your lover plays in do you LeeJames? Muric gave away the 2nd and 3rd gaols away to Man City and we Lost 1-4 Muric gave away the 4th goal away to Brentford and we Lost 3-4 Muric gave away the 1st goal at home to Bournemouth and we Lost 1-2 Muric gave away both goals at home to Southampton and we Lost 1-2 All your drivel needs to be fact checked. You are full of BS. Muric will not be playing for us next season. Enjoy the Town or City wherever you two buy your next house together.

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planetblue_2011 added 20:38 - Apr 20 A walk in the park for Arsenal! That’s how I watched the game anyway. Roll on the Championship, look forward to our games against the scum!!
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Leejames99 added 20:53 - Apr 20 @Robsonwark have you ever watched Ipswich? 2 goals vs Man City so what were we ever going to beat the champions away, no! Brentford last goal was Mbeumo took long distance shot by , as per cutting inside Davis, Muric saved it but Brentford got to it first Bournemouth game correct he didn't need to come for ball but the winner was Davis fault, Southampton 1st Shot shouldn't been taken and 2nd goal again he saved but went to Southampton player. He didn't cost the team points in any of those games. Your language of lover and houses together is really concerning and creepy. Very strange poster, you were the one typing WE WANT WALTON so strange blocking you, you give me the shivers, don't mind bit banter or opposite opinions especially on match day, but your replies are just weird, abusive and creepy, I hope no younger fans having to read that kind of response

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Broadbent23 added 20:53 - Apr 20 What a hideous performance. Defending was well below par and when we tried to press there was no teamwork. Although Ensico's change was tactical, Clarke and Ensico attempts were our only highlights throughout the hold match. Not to criticise KMc to harshly his overall management and tactics were poor today. Greaves performance was poor and like the rest of the defence didn't want to tackle anyone. Arsenal were strong, therefore it was men against boys. But overall 26k paying supporters shouldn't be happy with today's display. Buckup Town you can do better. On this evidence LD will want to leave.

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RobsonWark added 21:07 - Apr 20 Leejames99 added 20:53 - Apr 20 "@Robsonwark have you ever watched Ipswich? 2 goals vs Man City so what were we ever going to beat the champions away, no! Brentford last goal was Mbeumo took long distance shot by , as per cutting inside Davis, Muric saved it but Brentford got to it first Bournemouth game correct he didn't need to come for ball but the winner was Davis fault, Southampton 1st Shot shouldn't been taken and 2nd goal again he saved but went to Southampton player. He didn't cost the team points in any of those games". LeeJames you are such a fool! Everything you have just said is utter BS as usual. Give Muric a kiss from me when you turn off the lights and tell him to F.O. to Norwich.

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Tractorboy1985 added 21:11 - Apr 20 @LeeJames the Mbeumo shot travelled 25-30 yards and went straight in…. Are you actually watching Town games? You must have the most down votes in TWTD history and you’ve only popped up this season! The drivel you spout is mind boggling… let’s not get too deep though as you’ll be crying “abuse”…. Delusional…….
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dusth added 21:22 - Apr 20 Carberry, everybody has a different view of what the problem is. The problem is we have a constantly diminished squad through injuries which wasn't quite experienced enough to survive in the first place and now everyone is looking for scapegoats. I watched my first Ipswich game in 19bleeding61 and believe me if you think these are bad times you are deluded. Even my worst times have had worse times. Having a pair is not shouting insults at players and managers and experimenting with dumb team lists and formations but looking forward to next season with hope and expectations of lessons learned. And not with some deadbeat manager who has tried and failed elsewhere. On the other hand I understand this is a space for letting off steam, but blimey ....

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algy added 21:30 - Apr 20 Dsusth, Great you've been watching Town a long while and hope you do for many more. Can I ask you which other season in all those you have seen did we get to Easter with only 1 home win but 12 home defeats? I've only been watching since 1978 but haven't seen one.
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