Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reactions as substitute Kai Havertz scores winner
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz’s winner takes the Gunners to the top of the table
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal went top of the Premier League as Kai Havertz headed home a late winner against Brentford.
After the draw between Manchester City and Liverpool had opened the door for Arsenal to take top spot, it looked for so long like it would be a night to forget for Mikel Arteta’s side as they struggled to breakdown aresolute home defence.
But a piece of Bukayo Saka brilliance put a goal on a plate for Havertz, and the German sharply directed a downward header past Mark Flekken to snatch a 1-0 victory.
The visitors had barely got out of first gear on a chilly London evening and failed to create many clear chances, while Aaron Ramsdale - standing in for the ineligible David Raya in goal - endured a couple of nervy moments at the other end.
Declan Rice spared his goalkeeper’s blushes with a last-ditch first half clearance, while Oleksandr Zinchenko also produced a timely clearance off the line to ensure Ramsdale’s goal was not breached.
And that alllowed Saka and Havertz to combine to secure three points that take Arteta’s men above both the defending champions and Liverpool to head the Premier League pack after 13 matches.
Follow all the reaction below plus get the latest Premier League odds and tips right here:
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 60 minutes
Saman Ghoddos has done a fine job at right wing back so far. He gets a shout from his goalkeeper as he tracks the flight of a cross informing him that there is no clear and present danger, and wisely lets the ball bounce behind for a goal kick.
Eddie Nketiah is being readied.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 58 minutes
William Saliba really is so solid. Bryan Mbeumo looks to have the run on the Arsenal defender but Saliba eases up through the gears to close the space, muscling Mbeumo out of the way and calmly tapping the ball back to his goalkeeper to complete the clean-up.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 56 minutes
Aaron Ramsdale is alive to Bryan Mbeumo’s threat, the goalkeeper in a good starting position and fleet enough of foot to beat the Brentford striker to the bouncing ball.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 54 minutes
Arsenal earn a corner up the right but Ethan Pinnock rises with a commanding leap to clear. Declan Rice then carries the ball 30 metres forward, striding towards the edge of the box but eventually forced to check. Arsenal play backwards.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 51 minutes
Poked wide! A rare chance for Brentford, Yoane Wissa turning around the corner adroitly to send Bryan Mbeumo rushing on. The forward tries to find a near post finish but doesn’t get it right, allowing Aaron Ramsdale to watch it by.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 49 minutes
Gabriel Martinelli stares blankly at his teammates, unimpressed by their inability to surge onto a tempting ball to the far post. It just hasn’t quite clicked often enough in attack for Arsenal so far.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 48 minutes
Saman Ghoddos is unhappy when what appeared to be a Brentford corner is given as an Arsenal free kick, a flick off Gabriel not spotted. The Brazilian defender goes down with a cry having also taken a knock to the knee, but he rights himself soon enough with no harm done.
Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 46 minutes
Back underway, and an immediate opportunity for Arsenal! Ethan Pinnock makes a hash of a defensive header and Bukayo Saka shimmies to the byline, firing a low cross towards Martin Odegaard that ends up ballooning over the bar. Odegaard shakes his head - could he have done more with the chance? It came at him very quickly.
Second half...
Out they all come again, Thomas Frank looking slighty lost as he saunters in the vague direction of his dugout.
HT: Brentford 0-0 Arsenal
No score at the interval, then, with that VAR intervention stripping Arsenal of the opener. In truth, it’s all been rather flat on a chilly evening in London, though the visitors started to show some threat just before the half-time whistle. Of concern for Mikel Arteta will be how tremulous Aaron Ramsdale appears, and that will give a game Brentford a bit of confidence that a chance will come if they can continue to stick in it.
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