Arsenal 1-0 Brentford (25 Nov, 2023) Game Analysis

Arsenal 1-0 Brentford (25 Nov, 2023) Game Analysis،

Arsenal went top of the Premier League when a late goal from Kai Havertz earned them a 1-0 victory at Brentford on Saturday.

Manchester City’s previous draw against Liverpool meant Mikel Arteta’s side would move ahead of both clubs with a win, but that did not look likely for most of the game.

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Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, recalled to the squad for the first time since September, had some nervous moments in the first half, while the visitors saw a Leandro Trossard goal ruled out for offside.

The match looked to be drifting towards a draw, but Havertz, who came on as a substitute, finally broke the deadlock with a close range header in the 89th minute.

Kai Havertz’s goal against Brentford was his first from open play for Arsenal.

Arsenal moved into first place with 30 points from 13 games, one ahead of City and two ahead of Liverpool.

Ramsdale had not played for Arsenal in the Premier League since their victory over Manchester United in early September, having lost his place to David Raya who was loaned out by Brentford in the summer.

The England keeper got off to a poor start, when he hesitated on the ball in his area and then slipped, the ball eventually reaching Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo whose shot was cleared off the line by Declan Rice.

Ramsdale puffed out his cheeks in relief later in the half with a sloppy throw which, fortunately for him, did not result in a Brentford chance.

At the other end, Gabriel Jesus, also back in the starting lineup after injury, forced a sharp save from Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken with a deflected shot.

Arsenal thought they had taken the lead in the 41st minute when Bukayo Saka’s superb ball into the box was met by Jesus. While Flekken could only parry the ball in the air, Trossard focused on the rebound.

His celebrations were cut short, however, as a VAR check showed he had been slightly ahead of Jesus in the build-up.

Brentford looked dangerous at times after the break, with Mbeumo having an effort off target and then Neal Maupay having a shot blocked on the line by Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Arsenal dug deep, however, and Saka unlocked the Brentford defense with a superb ball into the box which found Havertz who stooped to head towards the gaping goal.