A second-half double from Freddie Ljundgberg gave Arsenal a 2-0 win over relegation threatened Ipswich at Highbury this afternoon to lift the Gunners back to the top of the Barclaycard Premiership. The Gunners now hold a one point advantage over second placed Liverpool with a game in hand and on current form look favourites to repeat their league and cup double success of 1998. Ipswich, as valiant as they were, seem on their way to the Nationwide League - five points adrift of safety with just three matches remaining, two of which are against Manchester United and Liverpool.
It had been a first-half of sheer frustration for Arsenal, despite taking the game to Ipswich they failed to conjure up the penetration which has been their hallmark of this amazing season. They crashed in 11 attempts on goal and forced 10 corners in that period and Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp could easily have scored two goals each such was their domination.
Ipswich were unlucky not to take the lead when Martijn Reuser hit the post with a header just before the break, and although the home side upped the tempo in the second-half, a breakthrough seemed as elusive as it had in the opening 45 minutes. Bergkamp and Tony Adams went close, throwing themselves bravely to connect with close-range headers but the anxiety in the stands was growing by the minute as chance after chance was squandered.
It looked as if they would never score especially when Ljungberg rattled the Ipswich crossbar after 68 minutes. A minute later, however, Arsenal were in front, courtesy of the irrepressible Swede. A Patrick Vieira cross was touched by Martin Keown to Ljungberg who, with his back to goal, swivelled to place a right-foot shot past Marshall's dive. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 77th minute when a Gilles Grimandi cross was headed goalward by Ljungberg, and although the ball came back off Marshall, the Swede was on hand to bundle the ball over the line with his knee to give Arsenal the three points.
Filed by Shane Murray
