Havertz the Arsenal hero as Ramsdale's blushes spared

Arsenal climbed back to the Premier League summit with a thrilling late 2-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday, thanks to Kai Havertz's decisive goal in the dying minutes. The match seemed destined to end in a draw after Aaran Ramsdale's mistake allowed Yoane Wissa to level the scores just before the half-time break, jeopardizing Arsenal's opportunity to overtake Liverpool and Manchester City in the standings before their showdown at Anfield on Sunday.

However, as the match approached its conclusion, Ben White delivered another excellent cross into the penalty area after his initial assist for Declan Rice's goal in the 19th minute. Havertz met White's cross with a powerful header that flew past Mark Flekken, sealing a dramatic win for Mikel Arteta's team. This victory, Arsenal's eighth in a row in the league, pushed them to the top of the table for the first time since the Christmas period.

Match report

Mikel Arteta had to make two adjustments to his lineup, bringing in Aaron Ramsdale and Leandro Trossard to fill the spots left by the ineligible David Raya and the injured Gabriel Martinelli.

Brentford also made a change from their last match, a draw with Chelsea, introducing Keane Lewis-Potter to replace Sergio Reguilon.

The game's first significant opportunity came in the 15th minute when Christian Norgaard's header from a corner kick was directed straight at Ramsdale.

Arsenal grabbed the lead shortly afterward, in the 19th minute, as Declan Rice met a cross from Ben White, heading the ball into the net past Mark Flekken. This marked Rice's sixth goal of the Premier League season, his highest tally in a single season.

In a milestone moment, Declan Rice scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career, achieving this feat in his 232nd appearance.
Arsenal's hopes of maintaining their lead until half-time were dashed in dramatic fashion. In the final moments of the first half, Ramsdale's hesitation with a clearance inside his six-yard box allowed Yoane Wissa to block the clearance, sending the ball into the net. This marked Wissa's third goal in as many matches, showcasing his scoring consistency.

Kicking off the second half with vigor, Arsenal nearly found themselves trailing due to a potential goal-of-the-season effort in the 55th minute.
Ramsdale faced a moment of peril when Ivan Toney unleashed a spectacular half-volley from beyond 40 yards. The Arsenal keeper had to rush back and stretch to his limit to deflect the ball wide, narrowly averting a goal.

At the opposite end, Gabriel came close to scoring with a forceful header from a corner taken by Bukayo Saka. However, Vitaly Janelt managed to partially block the attempt, allowing Flekken to gather the ball and prevent a goal.

The game was competitive, with Ramsdale showcasing his skills with an outstanding save in the 71st minute, stretching fully to tip Nathan Collins’ close-range header over the bar.
Just three minutes after that save, Rice was on the verge of doubling his tally, his long-range curling shot striking the junction of the post and crossbar.

Arsenal managed to regain the lead late in the game, in the 86th minute, thanks to a cross from White on the right that found Havertz. Havertz then directed a header beyond Flekken, netting his eighth league goal of the campaign and extending his scoring streak to four matches.

This result extends Brentford's winless streak to five games in the league, placing them in 15th position with 26 points, only five points clear of the drop zone.

Arsenal Players rating vs Brentford

Goalkeeper & Defense

Aaron Ramsdale (7/10):

Experienced a dreadful moment just before the break, leading to Brentford's goal. However, he rebounded impressively in the second half with a couple of crucial saves that helped keep Arsenal in the game.

Ben White (9/10):

Delivered a brilliant cross for Rice's goal and then topped it with an even more impressive assist for Havertz's winner. A standout performance from him.

William Saliba (7/10):

Had a compelling duel with Ivan Toney, showing considerable improvement from last season's encounter where Toney had the upper hand. Saliba held his own this time.

Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

Received an early yellow card, which forced him to tread cautiously throughout the match. Despite the constraint, he managed the challenge effectively.

Jakub Kiwior (7/10):

Continued to impress as a makeshift left-back, showing that he's adapted well to the role. The Polish international's performance was consistently solid.

Midfield

Jorginho (7/10):

Delivered several outstanding lofted passes beyond the defense, which were prime opportunities for finishing.

Declan Rice (8/10):

Continues to impact games significantly, notching another goal. Rice was a key player in Arsenal's offense, often appearing in the penalty area to add an extra threat, demonstrated perfectly by his goal. He has now scored six times this season.

Martin Odegaard (8/10):

His performance was mesmerizing, showcasing exceptional agility to navigate through tight spaces. Odegaard was a dynamo of activity, setting the tempo with his pressing and energy.

Attack

Bukayo Saka (7/10):

Remained somewhat peripheral throughout the match. Brentford managed to effectively neutralize his threat.

Kai Havertz (8/10):

Showcased superb interplay throughout the game and delivered the all-important winning goal late on. He was also lucky not to receive a second yellow card for an apparent dive during the second half.

Leandro Trossard (7/10):

Displayed his talent vividly. His ability to maneuver in confined spaces posed significant challenges for Brentford's defense.

Substitutes & Manager

Gabriel Jesus (6/10):

Appears to be far from his peak condition, noticeably missing the sharpness he's known for.

Reiss Nelson (N/A):

His notable contribution was a significant tackle that energized the supporters with the score tied.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A):

His return following an injury and entering the game late was a positive sight.

Thomas Partey (N/A):

Entered the game in its final moments.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

The sigh of relief on Arteta's face post-Havertz's decisive goal was evident. His side displayed quality football and earned their victory, though the game's nervy moments echoed some of the previous season's unpredictability.

Man of the match