5 talking points as Kai Havertz kickstarts Arsenal career with Brentford winner
Arsenal travelled to the Gtech Community Stadium knowing three points would send them top of the Premier League, and left it very late to get the job done through super-sub Kai Havertz
Both teams had opportunities to lead at the break, but it was goalless at half-time thanks to a goal-line clearance and a narrow offside call. The visitors had only failed to score in one of their games this season, in all competitions, but were made to work hard by their fellow Londoners.
Mikel Arteta's team needed their defenders to have their wits about them, with Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko both producing goal-line clearances. And they got their reward in the final minute as Havertz snuck home a header at the back post.
The Gunners survived an early scare after a nervy moment for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, but grew into the first half and gradually began to pose more of a threat to Mark Flekken's goal. They thought they had a breakthrough shortly before half-time, only for VAR to rule that Leandro Trossard had strayed narrowly offside before finding the net.
There were chances in the second half as well, but there was always a danger the Bees might take advantage of gaps at the back. Neal Maupay almost did just that, only for Zinchenko to rescue the away side.
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Just as it looked as though the game would end all square, Havertz found a late, late breakthrough with a goal which could well kick-start his Arsenal career. Here are the main talking points from West London.
1. Ramsdale feeling the pressure
Aaron Ramsdale was always going to start this game, with David Raya ineligible to face his parent club. The England international will have been hoping for a quiet start with limited pressure, but he brought some on himself and was very nearly caught out.
After taking too long on the ball, he allowed Yoane Wissa to nip in and take the ball off his toes. Ramsdale's distribution has come under scrutiny, at least compared to that of Raya, and on this occasion only a goal-line clearance from Declan Rice saved the Gunners after Wissa teed up Bryan Mbeumo for what looked like a certain goal.
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Aaron Ramsdale was almost caught out for a Brentford goal in the first half (CameraSport via Getty Images)Late on, though, he seemed to have his mojo back. After claiming a high cross, he was praised by his team-mates for helping seal victory
2. Havertz responds to being dropped
Leandro Trossard kept his place in the Arsenal team despite Gabriel Jesus joining Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in the front three. The Belgian operated in a deeper role occupied by Kai Havertz earlier in the campaign.
Kai Havertz was Arsenal's heroLate in the first half, it looked as though the attacking tweak had paid off for Mikel Arteta as Trossard bundled the ball home. It wasn't to be, though, with the narrowest of offside calls denying Arsenal's number 19.
There were fewer positive after the break, with Brentford seemingly having more of an answer to the visitors' tactics. Sure enough, Havertz got his introduction late on and delivered the crucial late winner for the away side. A start in Europe in midweek may well be his reward.
3. Both teams could do with Toney
For everything Gabriel Jesus offers in link-up play, he has never been a prolific goalscorer. An interview in Brazil during the international break appeared to reinforce that, and all eyes were on the number nine as he came back into the starting XI.
Gabriel Jesus couldn't beat Mark Flekken with a presentable chance (Paul Dennis/TGS Photo/REX/Shutterstock)For all the initial debate over Trossard's disallowed goal, Jesus could have made the flag immaterial. He timed his run perfectly to meet a Bukayo Saka cross, but gave Flekken the chance to make a save when a more accurate connection would have put Arsenal in front.
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At the other end, Mbeumo's early failure to convert and a mistimed second-half effort from sub Neal Maupay saw some people's attention turn to Toney. The England striker has been linked with Arsenal himself, with a summer move appearing more likely than a January switch, but on this occasion the focus was on what Brentford are lacking without the man who hit 20 league goals last term.
4. PGMOL escape more Arteta drama
Arsenal were victims of VAR controversy in their 1-1 draw with Brentford last term, and the officials will have been keen to avoid a repeat. After all, there has already been long-running drama between Mikel Arteta and the PGMOL in recent weeks.
The Gunners boss made clear his issues with the officiating when his team lost to Newcastle before jokingly insisting he wanted to praise VAR when his team followed up that defeat with a victory over Burnley. Whatever happened at the Gtech Community Stadium, any contentious call was likely to get plenty of attention.
Fortunately, then, even Arteta couldn't have any complaints about the disallowed goal. Well, apart from perhaps being frustrated Trossard wasn't able to hold his run.
5. Opportunity snatched right at the death
Arsenal couldn't have left it much later (PA)After Manchester City and Liverpool drew in the early kick-off, Arsenal knew three points in West London would send them top. It was hard to tell if they were feeling the pressure or if - as appeared to be the case with their rivals, international break fatigue was taking its toll.
Arsenal arguably haven't been as reliable as they were last season when it comes to creating big chances. Neither Gabriel Jesus nor sub Eddie Nketiah looked able to change that, but Havertz came up trumps when needed.
Title chases often hinge on late goals, especially in games where you might feel you didnt deserve to win. There were a few such moments last season before Manchester City reeled in Arsenal, but the Gunners will hope this is the start of something bigger.
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