Kai Havertz rescued Aaron Ramsdale from embarrassment as Arsenal secured a significant victory against Brentford, propelling them to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s clash between title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal, aiming to reclaim the top spot for the first time since December, took the lead with Declan Rice’s deftly flicked header.
Maintaining control of possession, the home team missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead when Kai Havertz narrowly missed their best chance.
However, despite a solid first-half performance, Arsenal’s efforts were undone by a sudden error from Ramsdale.
The English goalkeeper, deputizing for David Raya who was ineligible to play against his parent club, hesitated over a clearance, allowing Yoane Wissa to slide in and score.
In the second half, Arsenal pressed for a winning goal without much success until Havertz found space to head in Ben White’s cross.
Havertz’s goal marked his fourth consecutive Premier League game with a goal, placing Arsenal one point ahead of Liverpool and two points clear of Manchester City.
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations at Emirates Stadium, although Arsenal are aware that their title rivals have the opportunity to reclaim the top spot at Anfield on Sunday.
Different performance but same result for Arsenal
Arsenal’s ascent to the top has been remarkable, characterized by their ability to dismantle opponents with ease.
Their prolific scoring, totaling 31 goals in seven consecutive league wins at the beginning of 2024, showcased their attacking prowess. Moreover, their relentless pursuit of victory once in control demonstrated a ruthless determination.
However, their eighth consecutive win demanded a different mindset.
Ahead of their encounter with struggling Brentford, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta emphasized the need for his team to display the same energy, determination, and character that had propelled them to victories against formidable opponents like West Ham, Burnley, Newcastle, and Sheffield United.
Arteta emphasized the importance of earning the victory, and that’s precisely what Arsenal did.
Their performance against Brentford contrasted sharply with their recent dominant displays, requiring resilience, patience, and seizing crucial opportunities.
The decision to recruit Chelsea’s deep-lying forward, Havertz, instead of a more traditional striker had faced skepticism, but the German once again proved his value.
Havertz, who previously scored a late winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 triumph over Brentford, silenced doubters with another crucial goal, potentially pivotal in the title race.
The tension at the Emirates Stadium quickly transformed into jubilation, with home fans eventually chanting “We are top of the league” in the eighth minute of stoppage time.