Super-sub Kai Havertz roared back to mediocrity to score the winning goal to help Arsenal eclipse Brentford 1-0 and sit top of the Premier League after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at lunchtime left the door open for the Gunners to hit the summit for the first time since May 2.
The situation did not look at all rosy for the Gunners for the first 89 minutes against a pugnacious Brentford side, and Arteta’s men were probably most grateful at times to the hosts for not having punished them for some incredible slip ups from an errant Aaron Ramsdale.
Havertz struck at the far post upon connecting with Bukayo Saka’s cross and, in so doing, hoisted Arsenal back to the top for the first time since last season’s title bid fizzled out in the final stretches of the campaign.
A noticeably disparate Ramsdale – now back in the spotlight for his first Premier League appearance since September 3 – was seemingly nervous off the starting blocks, making numerous blunders from a shanked clearance to almost gifting Brentford an early goal.
Ramsdale aside, the rest of the Gunners were also far from impressive at the other end with striker Gabriel Jesus, making his first Premier League appearance in a month, heading into the side-netting and blazing a shot over.
Thankfully for them, they finally managed to get the ball in the net just before half-time thanks to less than illustrious goalkeeping from Mark Flekken who palmed a Jesus header into the air, allowing Leandro Trossard to snappily bundled it home, but VAR ruled the Belgian was offside.
It was then Brentford’s turn with their chances after the break, with Mbeumo firing off target, Yehor Yarmoliuk shooting straight at Ramsdale and substitute Neal Maupay prodding wide from close range.
Finally it was the Gunners who reeled in the day’s catch when Saka swung in a cross from the right and Havertz stealthily sneaked in at the far post to plant his header past Flekken and send them back to the top of the league.