Mikel Arteta The Gunners need to win each game they have to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

Raheem Sterling was also absent from the team that faced Ipswich after he was confirmed to have suffered a knee problem but the Gunners’ boss was upbeat on his chances of a quick return.

“He was gutted because he had a good game against Palace here, he could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end, he got injured in a training session,” Arteta said. “That was his opportunity because naturally, he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.”

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This will come as a positive sign considering the absence of any senior forward player on the Arsenal bench last week. Ethan Nwaneri was the only offensive option Arteta had to choose from and did not even come on as the Spaniard made just two changes in the game that saw his side narrowly claim the three points.

In terms of any hints about what Arteta might do with the team following the game with Ipswich, he was asked whether he expects to rotate with a hectic January upcoming.

“I will watch the game back, I will watch the training session like we always do and feel it,” he said. “We will then think about what is the best team to start, what is the best team to finish the game in relation to other positions as well as individual moments of each player.”

The likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Nwaneri were all on the bench against Ipswich. There are options to choose from, but the attacking line remains lacking in choices.