Kai Havertz's late winner spared the blushes of Aaron Ramsdale and ensured Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory over Brentford which sent them top of the Premier League.
Match Report
Mikel Arteta's side came into the clash knowing that a win would lift them above both Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of their meeting at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners, who have been in blistering form since their winter break trip to Dubai in January, began as they have in several clashes, dominating possession, before taking an early lead, this time through Declan Rice.
The England international headed home the cross of Ben White to inspire hopes of a serene evening. But those desires were dashed just before the break when Aaron Ramsdale failed to clear the ball ahead of the on-rushing Yoane Wissa.
The 25-year-old was making his first Premier League appearance since November, with regular No 1 David Raya ineligible to face his parent club.
The second half was a tense affair, with the Bees enjoying several presentable chances before Havertz grabbed the winner in the 86th minute to send the north Londoners top.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
4' Yellow Card! Frank Onyeka booked
10' Yellow Card! Gabriel booked
15' What a great pass from Ramsdale!
19' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brentford (Rice)
21' Yellow Card! Jorgensen booked
34' CLOSE! Havertz’s shot wide out
49' GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Brentford (Yoane Wissa)
55' Great save from Ramsdale!
69' What a save from Ramsdale
73' CLOSE! Rice hits the post
86' GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Brentford (Havertz)
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Jorginho, Martin Ødegaard, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba, Saka, Jakub Kiwior
Subs: Cedric, Partey, Zinchenko, Jesus, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Karl Hein, Fábio Vieira
Brentford XI: Jorgensen, Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken, Ivan Toney, Yoane Wissa, Kristoffer Ajer, Janelt, Mads Roerslev, Frank Onyeka, Keane Lewis-Potter, Nathan Collins
Subs: S. Ghoddos, Strakosha, Maupay, Mathias Jensen, Shandon Baptiste, Mikkel Damsgaard, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Ji-soo Kim, Benjamin Arthur
dougiefresh
718
🇩🇪 Kai Havertz for Arsenal this season: ⚽️ 9 goals 🎯 3 assists 🏆 Community Shield Clutch! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
magnumpi
647
ramsdale is just like a magnet for a random gun fight of a keeper.. I don't like his ways
Cazorlasanti
640
Chelsea fans how far?🤣 the bad market we bought turned out to be a good market
Temacmnz
588
Ben White the unsung hero.. 2 assists
Defenses
525
You can find every gif of nice goals here: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=53615284&language=en
Popskull954
501
I thought Chelsea Fans Said that this man was finished
Lidbeklruy
490
the injury to Martinelli robed us some good moments on the left wing ,, his pace and dribbling skills could have given us a little bit edge . Trossard played well but that pace of the Gabi could given Arsenal more opportunities to score
Jerofix
489
If you listen to MK Arteta you have brilliant future. Big thanks to White 2 assists🥰🥰 White on fire 🔥
SaudHatiya
475
today's real hero🔥🔥
gb18
426
Havertz has now killed the bees twice this season
Kingsgate1234
419
Kai Havertz has now scored 4 Goals in 4 Consecutive games for the first time in his football career 👀💯 SIMPLY OUTSTANDING🔥👏
Theryttendevil
405
It’s official, by tomorrow evening, Arsenal will be either First or Second. Good job Arsenal. That goal advantage will come handy anytime soon.
chukwuka29
402
EVEN.. IF AM CHELSEA FAN.. I LOVE WHAT MY BOY IS DOING IN ARSENAL ♥️♥️♥️🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️.. keep it up ⚽
showkeyd
397
arteta right now this clashe of Liverpool vs Manchester city hope both of them lose the match 🤣🤣🤣
hombksty
392
Kai Havertz is proving Arteta right but his critics wrong. Fantastic signings (Rice & Havertz) by the boss (Arteta).
doublebb
380
Eat white rice and Partey... The ultimate Saka punch
Menikmoy
354
WHAT DO BEN AND DECLAN GIVE YOU? WHITE RICE.
Makaveli1989
338
Never bring Bees 🐝 to a Gun 🔫💣 Battle
Zecabekmt
325
whenever Manchester United wins Arsenal wins.and whenever Manchester United looses Arsenal wins
yorm
315
Gunners go TOP of the Premier League! Lonely at the Top
Cazorlasanti
313
Manchester City and Liverpool fans🤣
siuadepruz
285
People keep blaming Ramsdale for his error and considering the two outstanding saves which probably might be goal if it was Raya. Do u think that's just a normal save? Arsenal could hv been 2 goals down if nt of reflexive saves.. let's just appreciate that guy for keeping arsenal in the game..
showkeyd
249
Arsenal 2-1=3 points (1on the table)
dougiefresh
243
THE ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC ELEPHANT WILL SLEEP ON TOP OF THE TREE TONIGHT!!!🔥🔥🔥
mrrnobody
241
Big is big the gun men sent the bees back to their beehive 😂
ruscepsty
201
Havertz won't score you 20 goals a season but he'll score those crucial goals. I'll always be grateful for him coz he won us the UCL.
faruku1010
190
No gunners fans will skip this posting up up gunners for life 🔫🔫🔫💗💗☄️☄️🔥
Kingsgate1234
182
Appreciation Post ❤️ for the Match Winner Kai Havertz 💎, has been really OUTSTANDING🔝 this season and doesn't get his enough Praises❤️👏
dougiefresh
150
KINDLY DO NOT IGNORE BEN WHITE, HE PROVIDED 2 ASSISTS AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE WHEN IT MATTERED MOST.
Hansonid007
148
Father and Son 👍👍👍👏👏✌️✌️
Cazorlasanti
130
From now hence forth I will always trust Arteta's decision. this is a reminder why Raya is our #1, this is the reason why he believes in Havert, Arteta bring the best out of Havertz, You can easily say Arteta is a great coach
lfslsgs1234
71
Reds are winning the league I just don’t know which of the reds