Kai Havertz’s late, late header was enough to win Arsenal a scrappy encounter at Brentford and send them to the top of the table.
In a game of few chances, the German forward came off the bench in the second half to head in Bukayo Saka’s deep cross a couple of minutes before the end. Arsenal had earlier had a Leandro Trossard goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, and they cleared two efforts off the line through Declan Rice and Alex Zinchenko.
With on loan David Raya ineligible to face his parent club, Aaron Ramsdale was given his first chance in the Premier League since the win over Manchester United in early September. And it was him, who presented the hosts with their first chance. He dwelt just too long on the ball inside our six-yard box, allowing Yoane Wissa to pick his pocket and set up Bryan Mbuema.
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Declan Rice got back superbly to block his shot on the line though, and the rebound cannoned back off Wissa and wide of the upright. Mikel Arteta sent on Eddie Nketiah and Havertz late on to inject some impetus. Declan Rice powered a low shot just wide, via a deflection from 20 yards, and Nketiah bent a low shot too close to Flekken as the game entered the final ten minutes.
It was the other substitute, Havertz, who finally netted the crucial goal late on. The build up play was patient once again, before Saka swung a deep cross to the far post where Havertz stooped to head between Flekken’s legs. It proved to be the winner, and put the Gunners back on top of the Premier League pile.