Arsenal's win highlights a problem Liverpool don't have and could decide the title race

Arsenal's right wing did not look good without talisman Bukayo Saka.

Gabriel Martinelli He changed flanks, but never convinced as Saka's substitute in this 1-0 victory over ipswich town in the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard He was less influential without Saka's smart movement and immense work ethic outside of him. Arsenal's attacking right-back Jurrien Timber played well, but there was none of that instinctive understanding with Saka, none of those quick one-two passes with Mr Right Side.

The expected victory was achieved, but not in such a forceful way that it alarmed the Premier League leaders. Liverpoolwho are six points ahead with one game less.

Without Saka, Arsenal is less powerful on set pieces and in transitions.

His 52 goals and 45 assists in 186 Premier League games highlight his contribution. Arsenal fans will also attest to his work ethic and selflessness.

This could be a domestic season marked by Rodri's ACL and Saka's hamstring, as well as Liverpool's decisive improvement by Arne Slot.

Saka is expected to be out for two months. Contrary to what many think, he has rested and rotated more often Mikel Arteta this season, but Arsenal's heavy reliance on him means a heavy workload during matches, which inevitably puts his tendons at risk.

If Arsenal struggled to dispatch promoted Ipswich without him, they will face much bigger challenges in the coming weeks, including Newcastle United, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

Blessed with a much stronger bench, Liverpool can cope with the absentees, including Mohamed Salah.

If Slot was deprived of the elite services of his celebrated right winger, he has options in the form of Harvey Elliott either federico chiesa able to come off the bench. Neither are anywhere near Salah's level, but at least Slot doesn't have to alter other parts of his attack.

Arteta moved Martinelli from left to right and the Brazilian soon ran towards Leif Davis. In fact, from the kickoff, Martinelli battled with Davis as they ran down the wing. Davis, with his socks down, accepted the challenge and did well against Martinelli.

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Saka is a very persistent threat, capable of going left and right, willing to take hits and would have worried Davis more.

Martinelli attempted to replicate Saka's move, sliding inside and signaling Timber to stay on the right briefly.

So Gabriel Jesus briefly to the right and Martinelli inside. But it all lacked the kaleidoscopic movement of the triangle involving Saka, Odegaard and Timber (or Ben White).

Another weapon missing from Arsenal's arsenal was Saka's strength in the air. He has a good spring and a determination to fight for centers that is not always adequately appreciated.

Martinelli was unable to prevail aerially over Davis, who rose above the Arsenal 11 to clear a Leandro Trossard cross after 20 minutes.

Arsenal broke through the Ipswich defense three minutes later, with Martinelli playing an early role in the move.

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Luke Woolfenden headed his cross, but it only reached Trossard on the left. Ipswich's defenders were too slow in their reactions, and a fraction is all it takes to be punished in the Premier League.

As Trossard collected the ball, Ben Johnson should have defended more against the run to the dead ball line, knowing that Dara O'Shea was tucked inside, covering the cut. Johnson was trapped as Trossard accelerated and headed towards the line. Now it was Jacob Greaves who was trapped.

The left side of Kieran McKenna's three centre-backs marked the space, without controlling the arrival of Kai Havertz. Davis also failed to push in. Havertz got ahead of both of them to score from close range.

Havertz's 12th goal of the season sparked a roar of joy and many chants from the Arsenal fans.

But he continued the theme of Havertz scoring against less challenging opponents, which also included Crystal Palace, West Ham, Southampton, Leicester and Wolves, as well as Bolton and Preston in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal need Havertz to score more consistently against the bigger teams.

With the lead secured, Arsenal should have returned to action. Saka would have led the hunt for a second but he was beginning his rehabilitation. His substitute, Martinelli, continued looking for the ball but did not receive it enough.

He would wait until Declan Rice He received possession and then moved, targeting the space between Davis and Greaves and also between Greaves and Woolfenden. He threw up his hands in frustration when Rice delayed his delivery for a moment.

Arsenal's attack was even less threatening after the break.

Odegaard's free kick failed to clear the barrier. But the Norwegian's ability to manipulate a dead ball almost paid off. Saka curls in a beautiful corner from the right.

Here, taking on corner duties for that side, Odegaard delivered a gem towards the edge of the area. Gabriel once again engaged in a rude rumba with Liam Delap, but it was an Arsenal ploy, another one in Nicolas Jover's box of tricks.

As Arsenal's set-piece guru watched, Gabriel maneuvered Delap out of the way, Rice caught Odegaard's ball on the volley and only O'Shea's block saved Ipswich from conceding a second.

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But Arsenal ran out of ideas and energy, which made Ipswich believe they could equalize the match.

Odegaard even stooped to dawdling and held his face after taking a blow to the chest from Jack Clarke. Ipswich were breaking ground and Darren England, conscious of his head injuries, stopped the attack, much to the frustration of the visitors.

Odegaard consumed some time as Arsenal held out. If there had been any celebration afterwards, it would have been a toast to Havertz's goal and to an absent friend.