Kieran McKenna names the best team Ipswich have faced in the Premier League (2025)

Kieran McKenna says Arsenal produced the ‘highest standard’ his Ipswich Town team have faced in the Premier League this season.

Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship moved a step closer on Sunday as they were thumped 4-0 by Arsenal.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early 2-0 lead at Portman Road and Ipswich were left with a mountain to climb when Leif Davis was shown a straight red card for a poor tackle on Bukayo Saka.

Trossard scored his second of the afternoon in the second half before Ethan Nwaneri added Arsenal’s fourth late on.

The defeat means Ipswich remain 18th in the Premier League – 15 points from safety with five games remaining.

Speaking after the heavy defeat to Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal, McKenna said Mikel Arteta’s side produced the ‘highest standard’ his side have faced this season.

Arsenal look set for a second-place finish in the English top-flight for a third successive season, with Liverpool well clear in the title race.

While the Gunners will once again miss out on the league title, they have a more than decent chance of winning the Champions League ahead of a semi-final tie with French champions PSG.

‘A really tough game,’ Ipswich boss McKenna said. ‘It was tough even with 11 v 11, Arsenal started really well.

‘It felt at the start of the game like it was maybe the highest standard we’ve faced this year to be honest.

‘The group was at full stretch trying to compete and we had a few moments. But their execution was better than ours and their quality shone through.

‘They were the better team and deserved their lead and then of course the red card makes it almost impossible for us.

‘I thought we showed good quality with ten men to be honest, we managed the game pretty well all things considered.

‘But they were stronger than us. We faced a really strong team, they were on a different level to us today.’

Arteta, meanwhile, said his team produced some of the ‘best football we have played this season’ against Ipswich Town.

‘The first 35 minutes was the best football we have played this season against a difficult opponent,’ he said.

‘We scored two goals but could’ve scored three or four. Overall, it was a positive afternoon. We made changes, saved some minutes for players, gave opportunities for others and we won the game.

‘The consistency is at the next level. The intensity we played, especially in the first 35 minutes is pleasing to see.’

Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign against London rivals Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, while Ipswich return to action against Newcastle United.

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