- Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 on Saturday evening to go top of the English Premier League table
- Kai Havertz came off the bench in the second half to score the only goal of the match
Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 on Saturday evening to go top of the English Premier League table in brilliant fashion. In a game of few chances, Kai Havertz came off the bench in the second half to score the only goal of the match in the 89th minute.
Arsenal had earlier had a Leandro Trossard goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, and were forced to make two clearances off the line to deny Brentford. It was not an easy win for the Gunners, but the three points were warmly received at full-time by the travelling supporters.
Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0. Photo/ Arsenal.com.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended the day top of the Premier League table for the first time this season. Speaking after the 1-0 win at Brentford, Arteta said he was impressed by the performance of his players.
“I’m so happy with the team, with the way they performed, we got the clean sheet and I’m so happy with how everybody played. We should’ve scored earlier than that, but this is a really tough place to come. Credit to Brentford for what they do to every team. We showed a lot of resilience and belief.” Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal beat Brentford, as per Sky Sports.
Aaron Ramsdale, who came in for goalkeeper David Raya because the Spaniard was ineligible to play against his parent club, was taunted by Brenford fans and he nearly gifted them with a lead in the first half. Nevertheless, he did well to keep a clean sheet on his return to the starting XI and will be looking forward to retain his spot in the next fixture.
Arsenal are back in Champions League this Wednesday and will be hosting Lens knowing that victory will guarantee top spot in the group with a game to spare. They will then resume Premier League campaign at home to Wolves next Saturday.
How Arsenal Beat Brentford
After Manchester City and Liverpool drew in Saturday’s early kick-off, Mikel Arteta knew this was a chance to take advantage. However, he also knew it would not be easy against opponents that had not lost in 14 London derbies.
Mikel Arteta made a few changes to his team, with Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus both returning from injury to start. Aaron Ramsdale was also in the starting lineup.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank also made some changes to his team. Saman Ghoddos, Frank Onyeka and Yehor Yarmoliuk came into the Brentford starting XI while Nathan Collins, Mads Roerslev and Mathias Jensen were all dropped.
Brentford nearly took the lead in the 14th minute when Ramsdale lost the ball inside his six-yard box to Yoane Wissa. But as Wissa teed up Bryan Mbuemo, Ramsdale’s blushes were heroically saved by summer signing Declan Rice who cleared the ball off the line.
Despite being in control of the match, Brentford muted Arsenal’s reactions and they failed to muster a shot on target before the 40th minute. The Gunners then raided Brentford, with Gabriel Jesus’ effort saved before Leandro Trossard headed home. Trossard though he had given Arsenal the lead in the 42nd minute but VAR adjudged him to have stayed offside.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match as Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0. Photo/ Arsenal.com.
Brentford came back stronger after the break and they created many chances. Maupay nearly gave them the lead with a close-range header but Oleksandr Zinchenko did well by clearing the ball off the line to keep Arsenal in the game.
William Saliba and Rice came close to breaking the deadlock but it was substitute Kai Havertz who had the final say when he headed home Bukayo Saka’s cross at the far post. The German international scored in the 89th minute.
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