LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League (as of press time) in dramatic fashion as Kai Havertz spared Aaron Ramsdale’s blushes with a crucial late strike in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Brentford.
Mikel Arteta’s side were just minutes away from a damaging draw after Gunners keeper Ramsdale gifted an equaliser to Yoane Wissa.
Declan Rice put Arsenal ahead early in the first half, but Ramsdale waited too long to clear just before the interval and Wissa took advantage to block the ball into the net.
Havertz ensured Arsenal would not miss their chance to climb into first place with a bullet header four minutes from the final whistle at a jubilant Emirates Stadium.
The north Londoners’ eighth successive league victory lifted them one point clear of previous leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal will stay top on goal difference if second-placed Liverpool and third-placed Manchester City draw in their blockbuster clash at Anfield tonight.
“Tomorrow will be a great day to watch a fantastic game of football. It is not in my hands,” Arteta said.
“It’s a joy to be part of this league and a joy to be part of something special that we are trying to achieve.”
The much-maligned Havertz’s ninth goal since his move from Chelsea underlined Arsenal’s hunger to make amends for blowing an eight-point lead in the title race last season.
“We showed courage and we were rewarded,” Arteta said. “That is the beautiful thing about this stadium. They support (after) mistakes.”
On Tuesday, Arsenal will try to turn around a 1-0 deficit against Porto in the Champions League last 16 second leg, while their next Premier League game is at Manchester City on March 31.
