Havertz secures the top spot for Arsenal with a decisive goal against Brentford
Arsenal claimed the top spot in the Premier League after Kai Havertz’s late goal secured a 1-0 victory against Brentford on Saturday. Despite the earlier draw between Manchester City and Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s team had the opportunity to surpass both clubs with a win, although this seemed unlikely for much of the match.
Aaron Ramsdale, who was brought back into the team as the goalkeeper, narrowly avoided a significant mistake in the first half. Additionally, a goal by Leandro Trossard for the visitors was disallowed due to offside.
As the game seemed headed for a draw, Havertz, coming on as a substitute, finally broke the deadlock with a close-range header in the 89th minute. With 30 points from 13 games, Arsenal moved into first place, leading City by one point and Liverpool by two.
Ramsdale had not played in the Premier League for Arsenal since September, having lost his starting position to David Raya, who was loaned from Brentford during the summer.
Ramsdale’s return almost started on a sour note as he hesitated on the ball in his area, slipping and allowing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo a shot that was cleared off the line by Declan Rice.
In the first half, Ramsdale breathed a sigh of relief after a poorly executed throw-out, fortunately avoiding a Brentford chance. On the offensive end, Gabriel Jesus, also back from injury, tested Brentford keeper Mark Flekken with a deflected shot.
Arsenal believed they had taken the lead in the 41st minute when Bukayo Saka delivered an excellent ball into the area for Jesus, and Trossard bundled in the rebound after Flekken parried the ball into the air. However, VAR revealed that Trossard had been marginally offside in the build-up, cutting short the celebrations.
Brentford posed a threat in the second half, with Mbeumo missing the target and Neal Maupay’s shot blocked on the line by Oleksandr Zinchenko. Arsenal, however, held firm, and Saka’s exceptional delivery into the area found Havertz, who headed into the open goal to secure the win.