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

TimmyH added 22:11 - Apr 20 Saw Leicester play Liverpool today and they certainly put a better more organised display together than what we did...
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RobsonWark added 22:27 - Apr 20 Got to say that todays defeat was down to Davis again. Both the first 2 goals came from the left side again when he was nowhere near defending at left back. Then he gets sent off again this season and makes it impossible for a comeback today. His crossing of the ball this season has been very poor, his corners are pathetic - he never gets it past the first man on the near post and his defending is non-existent.

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jon_talbot56 added 22:30 - Apr 20 How many of those who think there is not a massive gap between the Prem and Championship were at Coventry where we won easily? And how many of those were there last season when we won but only just? No one likes losing but we have come a very long way in a short time and the club is in a much stronger position than when we came up from League One. I cannot see any of the current Championship promotion hopefuls surviving next season. And l would much rather be in our situation than Foxes or Saints.

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Leejames99 added 22:35 - Apr 20 @robsonwark seriously, I don't want to be rude in case you have issues, i cant keep outlaying stats on Muric for you, aside 3 drubbings of 4 goal losses (not Brentford) all our games were 0-0, 1-1, 2-1 certainly not 4 goals a game, they have conceeded more than double since Jan in same amount of games. Muric will be here next season we arent going to let an 8 million pound, international, Man City academy, Championship title winning team of the year keeper go before a Brighton reject. For the same mistakes as 4 other Prem keepers and 1 more than many others. Still in top 20 mosy saves this season, dont see the other two in there, so who you blaming if not Mckenna, not Davis, who can it be @poet first of a dont be so rude to other supporters of Ipswich Town because their opinion doesn't match yours. If your an anorak fan whobwants to keep Mckenna forever and Morsy and Co that's up to you. And the rest of the nonsense re Sean Dyche one trick football, your having a laugh, if any team in the Prem only plays one way its Town, the easiestvteam to play against. I forget which games did we turn up in different formation. Nonsense. We have just supported Mckenna through bad times every single home game of bad times bar 1. History making is right, might have got lower league promotions but also has stat for worst manager at home in clubs history,, no doubt about that and not by small margin by a hugevone. You don't have any right to dictate how people look at Ipswich Town. Those who go to away games don't make them better supporters just means they got more time on their hands. I might 100% disagree with the Mckenna mob but I certainly don't say they aren't supporters, there are some duubios ones and very weird ones but I've blocked most them Don't like my opinion please don't read very simple but don't pop on saying your a better fan than the ones who want to see the club progress and get better and think its time for a refresh.

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dusth added 22:49 - Apr 20 Sorry Algy I'm not a stats man but the Premier League is now a different beast from anything we've encountered in other seasons. The home results are crazily bad - my worst moment was being with my daughter right behind the goal in that soaking gale at the AR end and watching those two Bournemouth goals go in in the last five minutes. And it's gone on but I will be massively surprised if the club doesn't continue to grow under this management. I hope to see it.

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Leejames99 added 23:09 - Apr 20 @jontalbot We didn't sweep past Coventry, Lamport was fuming after game. We played well because Townsend played not Davis and J Clarke played in their natural positions. Hirst done well that game, Szmodics played. If Town played 4-2-3-1 I don't see why Hirst can't play in a 10 but we would be most prolific next season in a 4-4-2 Without need for many signings Muric/Palmer Tunazabe O'Shea Greaves Townsend Cajuste priority signing Humphries/new mid J Clarke Phillogene Hutchinson 10 Szmodicks 4-2-3-1 Or Hirst and Szmodics up top in a 4-4-2. Hirst is good holding ball but goal tally not good enough but maybe he could do well, look at Chris Wood, similar stature.we could have an amazing team with those sort of players and would have great bench too Szmodics could easy start up top in a 2 Try not to spend much and keep the money for better prem players if go up. I'd rather keep Hirst to play with Szmodics and have a new striker of Championship quality with potential or even get Adebayo from Luton who may thrive with our front line and use money to keep Cajuste, Tunazabe and Burgess. We don't need to many players we are strong everywhere aside a new LB but Bobiface looks good, a new CM or 2 but Humphries is back Right back we have Johnson and ah Clarke Centre we have Woolfenden and prob need sign one if Burgess doesn't stay, that's where an older player might be good. We are good in all positions with couple new signings.

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Leejames99 added 23:14 - Apr 20 @Gforce What's point? They did play well today, season not over yet we still have 2 home games so ours be 9 also. Plus we have to play them so they be okay They made mistake of relying on Vardy sadly not the player he was.
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Gforce added 23:49 - Apr 20 Think Kone from Wycombe would be a useful addition next season, along with a more experienced striker.
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VanDusen added 00:04 - Apr 21 The most interesting thing about the Premier League next season will be whether Leeds can survive or n edot. If the biggest club currently not in the club is unable to break the stranglehold, then I fear it really will be looking like a total closed shop going forward. That's what the almost Orwellian-ly mistitled "Financial Fair Play" was always going tto do - shore up the haves and prevent the have-nots even getting a chance to challenge them...

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armchaircritic59 added 00:48 - Apr 21 Here's what may or may not be just random facts, I'll leave it to you to judge. We have played 10 games this season where we have conceded 3 goals or more. Luke Wolfenden has started just two of them. We have had just 3 clean sheets all season, two in the league. Luke Wolfenden has started in 2 of them, including one of the 2 clean sheets in the league, against Chelsea here, in December. I am not suggesting LW is the answer to most of our defensive ill's, but it's at least food for thought. What do you think?

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shakytown added 02:09 - Apr 21 just another game that proves the financial gap between the prem and the rest of football is now insurmountable. Arsenal team payroll 161,096,000 Ipswich payroll 29,996,000 5 and a half times the financial power and it showed. Teams just cannot compete with that sort of money coming up from the lower leagues. Is it now a closed shop??????.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:48 - Apr 21 A very disappointing day at PR that really did highlight our failings at this level if anyone still had any doubts, although we were unlucky to come up against a top team at the top of their game. My thoughts in no particular order: Yes, I'm afraid it was a red card, as evidenced by the tv later. The team put in plenty of effort, but just came up short. Anyone who thinks that the Championship is a given next season should think again - Leicester put up a much better performance vs L'pool than our toothless display, although they too may well lose players in the summer. McK is an intelligent manager and will also learn from this season. While our away support is great, our home support is disparate: the vocal section should be concentrated behind the goal in the BR as is traditional in my book. We shouldn't be out-sung by the away support every game. We need to finish the season as positively as possible and then re-group for the next challenge, hopefully with fans not walking out before the end of the game - not a good look. Yes, I shall of course be renewing my season ticket. COYB!

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Papillon64 added 07:49 - Apr 21 I first walked through the turnstiles as a boy in 1974, since that day I could never 'love another', once a blue always a blue....sure, its been a hiccup this season, but where we were 3-5 season ago, financially and structurally, the club has great foundations. I for one will always applaud the team, and if we lose, then we go again the following week. Some on here need to acknowledge maturely the bad times to appreciate the good times, if you cant handle that , stick to the false bubble of FIFA on your playstation.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:59 - Apr 21 PS: Point well made in the ratings section that both Soton and Leicester changed their managers during the season, and it didn't do them much good. In fact, in Leicester's case, things got a lot worse. Continuity is important as long as you keep learning.
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Tedray added 08:20 - Apr 21 One of the problems that the team has had all season is joining up the back with the front.We have four overworked valiant defenders (including Townsend) and a few spritely attackers but never the twain do they meet. Consequently we play like a ballet on retreat.
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Carberry added 09:19 - Apr 21 This is not a place for homophobic innuendo, Robsonwark. Grow up, it's not 1975.
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Rimsy added 09:32 - Apr 21 Can't wait for this sh1tshow of a season to end. Biggest disappointment for me is spending 100mill+ (crazy money for us) and a squad that's no better than what we had. At least next season we should at least be competitive.
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atty added 09:35 - Apr 21 I thought we stood a chance to stay up until after the win against Chelsea. We have got worse not better, the January transfer have had little impact.OK there have been some highlights, such as the away win at Wolves, the Forest cup game, and the draw away at Chelsea but precious few. So many embarrassing stats. We simply are not good enough for the PL. Will at least be able to enjoy seeing some wins next season. Not sure how we will do next season, until we know what the squad is. Thank God we have genuinely committed owners. Spending £30 million on the training ground when relegated is very encouraging.

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blueboy1981 added 10:19 - Apr 21 All in all - an abysmal attempt of a Season in the Premiership - in fact quite EMBARRASSING ! But the Warning Signs were well posted to be honest, and we never improved, in fact the reverse followed. Tough time ahead - a Huge Opportunity missed to stay, and move forward, after a two decade plus wait … !!!
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BangaloreBlues added 10:56 - Apr 21 I can't wait until next season. All those people who have joined on here only because we're in the Premier League, and do nothing but whinge and slag off the team and manager, will disappear again leaving us real supporters to support our club. I am utterly shocked at the way the comments on this site have deteriorated this season, and only because the glory hunters didn't get the glory they were seeking. We were a League One team freshly promoted to the Championship, totally unprepared for the Premier League. I think it caught everyone off guard. Even in April I don't think most of thought it was actually going to happen. Success does indeed come with a price. There has been nothing negative about this season, apart from a few bits and bobs. It has been a huge learning experience for everyone at the club, from supporters all the way up to the owners. We go down, we rebuild, we come back stronger. We will be a Burnley / Sheffield united next season, and not a Luton. And if we come back to the Prem again, we will be better prepared and much stronger.

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Dissboyitfc added 10:59 - Apr 21 Still a massive fan of KM, so much to feel pleased and proud of regarding our team! Let me start by saying i felt the most we could hope for was 17th position, the best of the promoted teams and finishing above one established premier league team, i underestimated the standard and the gulf between the championship and the premier league, its huge! I can honestly say and of course this is only an opinion, but i dont think we really improved as the season progressed, we looked good against Liverpool and after a tough opening start i thought we would show signs of improving, not sure as a team we did! i think certain players got better, some struggled! Like i am sure many fans did, i discussed amongst fellow mates and fans who did we have in the squad that would cope, a nailed on for me was Leif, got that wrong and he has struggled, players like Burgess and Wolfenden have coped better than i expected! Been a massive learning curve for everyone! Of the players we signed, we signed mainly good championship players for over the top fees, in truth how many have stepped up? Aside from the obvious Delap, not many but have, been impressed with Townsend, Greaves started well and fell away! Looking at the premier experience in the squad, Tuanzebee we know about but the others, Phillips never reached his potential Johnson took too long to get upto speed and is now showing signs of being a good signing! O'shea has been very good. Muric has been an awful signing, bought very little to the team and will be loaned out next year, cant see us getting our money back! In the main every player struggled yesterday, we are to lightweight and were totally outclassed! Would love the resident experts to explain where we should have finished and who's been a good signing who's been poor! Instead of slating other realistic fans for supporting the team!

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 11:14 - Apr 21 Talking to fans of other clubs, none of them expected us to stay up and in fact have been quite complimentary about us as a Club and a team. Last season I had expected us, at a push, to be fighting for a play-off place and would have been satisfied with that because the Club was moving in the right direction. My ridiculous hope for this season was low mid table, however I can see I was deluded in that, we were not physically ready for the Premiership. Relegation with as much honour and spirit as we can is still progress, two steps forward one back, repeat. These young lads we have are going to be excellent once they have spent the Summer in the gym. My hope for next Season is top two, exciting times ahead.

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algarvefan added 11:24 - Apr 21 Let's be clear here, I don't think anybody has let anybody down this season. The truth is quite simple, our players did their best (probably lost heart, understandable), in the last few months, but never lacked effort, just quality. The jump up to PL football is huge. It's my humble opinion we panic bought in the summer and brought in too many new players and it seems the wrong ones. I think next season will be anything but a foregone conclusion, getting out of the Championship is a tough ask. It's time for a sensible rebuild and no matter what I shall still be cheering us on next season, but this summer is vital. Those calling for McKenna's head are mad, nobody complained when we were winning!!

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barrystedmunds added 11:27 - Apr 21 The fact is the Premier League of 20 years or so ago is a completely different beast to the one we entered in August. It’s been tough, extremely tough, and for me it’s the sheer quality established teams bring to the table. My expectations for the season was to be battling the likes of Palace, Bournemouth, Fulham and the likes and being competitive. Unfortunately, they are way ahead of us and it showed. Money, Sky, The FA and the corporate influence have ruined the whole experience and if that reeks of sour grapes on my behalf, I’ll take it, but I’m not the only one who feels that. Another 3 teams are ready to replace us and is there really anyone on here who fancy’s their chances? Leeds will be an interesting one and should an established team have a wobble they may reap the rewards but I fully expect them all to return to the championship come this time next year.

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bobble added 11:45 - Apr 21 Lovely..
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