Brentford vs Arsenal: Kai Havertz sends Gunners top of the Premier League table with late winner
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Kai Havertz scores Arsenal's winner || Credit: Imago

Brentford vs Arsenal: Kai Havertz sends Gunners top of the Premier League table with late winner

Stephen Oladehinde 20:33 - 25.11.2023

Arsenal secured a hard-fought victory over stubborn Brentford as they moved top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners were looking to continue their good run of form as they faced Brentford who sits in 11th position on the league table.

Arteta’s men were able to get the victory with the game ending 1-0 despite Brentford’s effort to frustrate them.

Kai Havertz came in as a substitute to score for the Gunners and steal a win at the Brentford Community Stadium.

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As it happened

Brentford were without the injured Nathan Collins while Mathias Jensen and Mads Roerslev also missed out and were replaced by Frank Onyeka, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Saman Ghoddos.

Arsenal named Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard in their starting line-up for the first time in five weeks. 

Mikel Arteta was also without on-loan goalkeeper David Raya against his parent club and was replaced by Aaron Ramsdale.

The game started with Arsenal dominating most of the possession from the proceedings but could not create any chance.

As the game went on, Brentford got a chance for themselves after an error from Aaron Ramsdale but the ball was cleared off the goal line by Declan Rice.

Shortly after the first mistake from Ramsdale, the England international made another error but Brentford were unable to pounce on his second mistake.

Arsenal also got a chance of their own late on before the halftime whistle after Bukayo Saka clipped a cross into the path of Gabriel Jesus who headed towards goal but his effort was saved by the Brentford goalkeeper.

Despite the save, Leonardo Trossard was in the right spot to pounce on the rebound and slot the ball into the net. 

Brentford vs Arsenal Premier League match || Credit: Imago
Brentford vs Arsenal Premier League match || Credit: Imago

However, the ball was reviewed by VAR and was ruled out for offside to the relief of the Brentford fan with the first half coming to an end.

Both teams came in for the second half and the Gunners continued from where they left off in the first half.

Despite all the possessions from the Gunners, Brentford proved very stubborn to break down.

However, Arsenal still got their chance to seal the win through substitute Kai Havertz who came in to replace Martinelli.

Kai Havertz lurks in at the back post to head in Bukayo Saka's cross leaving Brentford helpless.

Kai Havertz scores for Arsenal || Credit: Imago
Kai Havertz scores for Arsenal || Credit: Imago

The Gunners managed the rest of the game until the final whistle, with the win taking them to the top of the table.