Kai Havertz scored a late winner against Brentford to catapult Arsenal to the top of the Premier League – and spared Aaron Ramsdale the blushes.
Declan Rice had headed the Gunners into the lead after 19 minutes, but Ramsdale suffered an emergency on the stroke of half-time.
The goalkeeper hesitated on the ball and was closed just before half time by Yoane Wissa, whose intervention resulted in the ball ending up in Arsenal’s goal.
The late Havertz winner popped the cork on the Emirates as a sea of ​​red exploded in ecstasy. This wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win, and that was all that mattered.
Here are Riath Al-Samarrai’s ratings for the game.
Kai Havertz scored an emphatic winner to send Arsenal to the top of the Premier League
This was not a luxurious performance from Arsenal, but they did show determination and desire
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale – 6.5
After effectively gifting Yoane Wissa a goal with a lapse of concentration, Ramsdale faced a mental test. And went there. Made a number of crucial saves in the second half, including from a stunning long-range shot from Ivan Toney, to prove his mettle.
Ben White – 7.5
Arsenal look so good with pure full-backs. White was a threat on the wing and provided the crosses for Rice and Havertz’s goals.
Willem Saliba-6
Overall, things went well with the physical punches and punches with Toney.
Gabriel – 6
Made the backpass that led to Wissa’s goal, but there was little wrong with that. A quiet afternoon. Brentford had a few chances so Arsenal could have a better defender, but it was a solid enough night.
Aaron Ramsdale had the world on his shoulders after a disastrous mistake, but made up for it with crucial saves in the second half
Ben White was crucial to Arsenal’s victory, setting up both goals with great crosses
Jakub Kiwior-6
Kiwior has made the left-back position his own and has kept the spot, even with Oleksandr Zinchenko returning to the starting line-up. Another reliable afternoon.
Martin Odegaard-7
Constantly looking to make things happen. White had a nice lead before finding Havertz as the winner.
Jorginho-7
A metronomic boost from this Arsenal team. As a mainstay in midfield, he is the anchor that allows the creativity to happen in front of him, as well as adding to his own quality. Another good performance.
Declan Rice – 7.5
Since moving to the left side of midfield, Rice has been even more of a revelation. He now has six goals to his name this season after scoring the opener. He can do everything.
Martin Odegaard delivered another quality performance in midfield, despite the match being very physical
Bukayo Saka-7
Once again influential without getting on the scoresheet or scoring an assist. Well linked to White for the first goal with a nice exchange of passes.
Kai Havertz-7.5
Scored the winner and sent an exclamation point across North London. Havertz has now scored in four games in a row. You make people eat their words and then you make people devour them. Crucial to Arsenal’s success and excelling as a false nine.
Leandro Trossard-6
Outpaced by his colleagues and left for Reiss Nelson after 80 minutes. Not bad, but not much to write home about.
Declan Rice plays excellently on the left side of midfield and scored his sixth goal of the season
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus (Jorginho 70)
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Kiwior 80)
Reiss Nelson (Trossard 90)
Thomas Partey (Odegaard 90)
Not used: Hein, Carlo, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah
Manager: Mikel Arteta – 6.5
He didn’t mastermind a glamor show like some of their recent storming victories, but his team showed the courage needed to fight on after Ramsdale’s setback. As valid a victory as any.
Referee Robert Jones should have given Kai Havertz a second yellow after his dive into the penalty area in the second half
Referee: Robert Jones-5
Probably should have given Kai Havertz a second yellow card for diving after he was denied contact by Nathan Collins in the penalty area in the second half.
Brentford
Brentford (3-5-2): Spots 6.5; Jorgensen 6, Ajer 6.5, Collins 7; Roerslev 5.5, Onyeka 6 (Yarmoliuk 78), Norgaard 6 (Jensen 34, 6.5), Janelt 6, Lewis-Potter 6; Toney 6, Wissa 7 (Maupay 78).
Subs not used: Strakosha, Ghoddos, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Kim, Arthur
Booked: Onyeka, Zanka, Jorgensen
Manager: Thomas Frank 6.5
