Mikel Arteta, along with every Arsenal supporter, held their breath when Leif Davis`s studs made contact with Bukayo Saka in the 32nd minute.
For Arsenal to overcome Paris St Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and secure a place in the Munich final, a fit and in-form Saka is essential.
After dominating Ipswich for the opening half-hour, Saka fell to the ground, visibly in pain, following a reckless tackle from Ipswich`s left-back, Davis.
However, Arteta and Arsenal fans were more concerned about Saka`s condition than any potential red card for Chris Kavanagh.
Fortunately, the England international recovered and continued playing, even creating opportunities to score a hat-trick before halftime.
Saka provided the assist for Leandro Trossard`s opening goal, his 11th Premier League assist of the season, and contributed to the build-up for Gabriel Martinelli`s goal.
Trossard later scored again to make it 3-0, and substitute Ethan Nwaneri added a fourth. Shortly before the final goals, Arteta substituted Saka, and the club`s medical staff immediately applied ice to his right ankle on the bench.
Despite initial optimism, Arsenal faces an anxious wait to assess Saka`s condition when he reports for training at London Colney.
Arsenal`s next match is against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, followed by the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against PSG at the Emirates the following Tuesday.
This victory for Arsenal delays Liverpool`s potential title celebrations and pushes Ipswich closer to relegation.
Arteta aims to manage his squad by resting tired players, providing game time to those who need it, and crucially, avoiding injuries, especially from unnecessary tackles like Davis`s.
Saka was making only his third start for Arsenal since returning from a three-month hamstring injury.
While he started in both matches against Real Madrid, this was his first Premier League start since December 21 against Crystal Palace.
With Thomas Partey suspended for the first leg against PSG, Arteta is considering midfield options.
This match was only the fourth time this season Arteta started Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino in midfield. It was Rice`s first game at No.6 in three months.
One option is to keep Merino in midfield and Trossard in attack, both of whom performed well in this game.
Despite PSG and Ipswich both wearing blue, the similarities end there, and Arteta would have preferred to have Partey available.
Trossard, despite inconsistent form this season, found himself in a favorable match to increase his goal tally.
After an initial shot was blocked, Trossard capitalized on Arsenal`s dominance, particularly on the right flank.
In the 14th minute, Odegaard advanced unchallenged, Saka delivered a cross, and Trossard, despite a challenge from Sam Morsy, scored through Dara O’Shea`s legs.
Merino missed a header from a Saka corner to potentially make it 2-0.
Saka was again instrumental in the second goal, outpacing Jacob Greaves and passing to Merino, whose backheel flick confused the Ipswich defense, allowing Martinelli an easy goal.
Davis`s tackle on Saka might have stemmed from frustration, although it didn`t appear malicious.
Saka was subsequently jeered by home fans, which seemed unfair, and he missed two clear chances for a hat-trick before halftime, much to the home crowd`s amusement.
Arteta made substitutions before the hour mark, including Saka`s removal, and Arsenal extended their lead to 3-0. Ipswich conceded from a short corner, allowing Trossard to score through George Hirst`s legs past goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
