"It was a different role for me today" - Kai Havertz makes surprise claims after Arsenal beat Ipswich Town

Arsenal star Kai Havertz has opened up on the instructions he received ahead of his side's 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday. The German forward scored the only goal of the game to hand the Gunners all three points and send them to second on the log.

Mikel Arteta's side played for the first time since losing talismanic forward Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury as they hosted Ipswich Town. The manager was forced into some tactical adjustments, with former Chelsea man Havertz featuring prominently in his plans.

Havertz spoke after the game about how he had to take on a different role as part of the team's adaptation to the absence of Saka. The Germany international revealed that he was pleased to have picked up all three points, particularly at home.

"For sure, three points at home is nice. Tough opponent, it's hard to break them down. They didn't have a proper chance so we controlled the game well. We still could have scored one or two more goals. That's the Premier League, every team is tough. We're proud of the win. (Leonardo Trossard) is an amazing football player, it's fun to play with him. He likes to take the one-vs-one situations. I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today. Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt. Home games are so important to us and we feel the energy. Everyone is together, we are one football club. The players, the fans, everyone needs to raise their level to win football matches."

Kai Havertz scored off a cross from Leandro Trossard in the 23rd minute to lead the Gunners to a win over Kieran McKenna's side. They have now picked up 36 points from their opening 18 games this season to sit in second place, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have played a game less.

Arsenal boss delivers disappointing Bukayo Saka news

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on the injury situation of star forward Bukayo Saka after the win over Ipswich Town. The England international picked up a hamstring tear in the first half of Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Arteta revealed that the 23-year-old has undergone surgery to correct the damage to his hamstring. He pointed out that he may spend more than two months on the sidelines, depending on how his healing goes.

“Bukayo Saka will be out for many, many weeks… probably MORE than 2 months”.

“He underwant surgery. Now it depends... how the scar tissue starts to heal, the mobility of that”.

With Raheem Sterling also out injured, Arsenal have been left with a void in attack, even if they managed it well against Ipswich. The Gunners may look to the January transfer window to bring in new players to provide adequate cover in attack.