Brentford away has been a tough fixture for the big six sides since their promotion two years ago, with many failing to come away from the Gtech Community Stadium with three points. However, Arsenal did just that for the second year running as a late Kai Havertz header won the night for The Gunners.
The international break gave Martin Odegaard the chance to rest up from his injury, and the captain started in West London. As did Gabriel Jesus who returned fresh of a full match for Brazil against Argentina. Also, Leandro Trossard started in the left of Arsenal’s midfield three alongside Odegaard and with Declan Rice occupying as the holding midfielder. Aaron Ramsdale started in goal in a Premier League match for the first time since September, due to David Raya being ineligible.
Arsenal started slowly, and should have been a goal down when an awful error from Ramsdale saw the ball get robbed off him by Wissa, and the Brentford man saw his shot cleared off the line by Declan Rice. The Gunners failed to properly create much in the first half, but almost went in to halftime 0-1 up when Trossard headed in a rebound following Jesus’s initial effort. Although, the Belgian was inches offside and the goal was ruled out.
The second half was similar. With Mikel Arteta’s side not really threatening going forward due to the organised and compact Brentford side. And despite being in control, they had to rely on another brillaint goaline clearance – this time from Oleksandr Zinchenko – to not go a goal down as the Ukrainian denied old enemy Neal Maupay.
With Manchester City and Liverpool playing our a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, Arsenal knew a win would send them top, however with 88 minutes on the clock it was looking like the opportunity would be one missed. But with the clock on 89 minutes, a fantastic cross from Bukayo Saka found substitute Kai Havertz who nodded home at the far post to spark wild scenes in the away end. The German has had a tough start to life in N5 but his header proved the difference in what was a massive moment and a huge win.
The win puts Arsenal ahead of Manchester Citg and first in the league. And they can confirm top spot of their Champions League group if they beat RC Lens at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 6 – Awful first half but got his head down and improved in the 2nd
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7 – Came in due to White’s slight knock and was solid
William Saliba: 7 – Solid as usual
Gabriel: 7 Same as Saliba. Wasn’t fazed by any Brentford Attacks
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 8 – Calm in possession and solid defensively with one excellent goalline block. A man back to his best.
Declan Rice: 8 – Declan Rice was excellent, water is also wet
Leandro Trossard: 6 – Decent first half but faded in the second
Martin Odegaard: 6 – Tidy but somewhat quiet. Great to have the captain back after a couple weeks out though
Bukayo Saka: 7 – Not as involved in front of goal as he would like but a brilliant cross helped win the game
Gabriel Jesus: 6 – Like Odegaard, not too involved but great to have him back
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Played a number of strong crosses which weren’t attacked by Arsenal