Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has left Mikel Arteta in no doubt about his team’s level, referring to Arsenal as “the highest standard we’ve faced this year”.
Ipswich, who are now 15 points from safety in 18th place, all but guaranteed their Premier League relegation with Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Gunners. Arsenal continued their sensational form from their 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu into the match at Portman Road, dominating the Tractor Boys.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli scored first-half goals for Arsenal, leaving Ipswich with a massive task when Leif Davis was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Bukayo Saka. Trossard scored twice in the second half, and youngster Ethan Nwaneri sealed the victory late on.
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McKenna’s Championship-bound side had zero shots on goal and only 25% possession in their joint-worst defeat of the season. And the Town manager was predictably delighted with Arteta’s tactics, naming the north Londoners as the best team he has faced this season. Reported By Football London.
“A really tough game,” McKenna conceded after the contest. “It was difficult even with 11 v 11. Arsenal started strongly. To be honest, at the start of the game, it felt like the highest caliber we’d seen this year.
“The group was at full stretch, trying to compete, and we had a couple moments. However, they outperformed us in terms of implementation and quality. They were the better team and deserved to lead, but the red card makes it almost impossible for us.”
ll of their focus will be on next week’s blockbuster Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain – their first semi-final fixture in the competition since 2009.
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