Brentford 0-1 Arsenal:
Kai Havertz's late goal sends Gunners top of the Premier League
See our Player Ratings to find out who impressed
The Arsenal team and travelling Arsenal support celebrate Kai Havertz’s goal here at Brentford pic.twitter.com/KgGOEsenpn
— Layth (@laythy29) November 25, 2023
Aaron Ramsdale: 6/10 - Returned to the first team with David Raya ineligible. The 25-year-old had only played twice for Arsenal since his last Premier League outing, when the Gunners beat Manchester United 3-2 back on September 3 - with both his matches since then coming in the Carabao Cup, including the 1-0 victory over Brentford at the same venue in late September. Sad to see the former No1 stripped of vital confidence in what could be his final game in Arsenal colours. Fortunate not to have seen Mbeumo score after his indecision when clearing the ball as Rice cleared off the line. After the couple of months Ramsdale has had, perhaps he was due a spot of luck. Really sad to see such an excellent keeper shorn of belief
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7/10 - Solid and reliable in helping the backline to a clean sheet at a difficult venue
William Saliba: 7/10 – Sleek. Late shot nearly beat Bees keeper Flekken but it wasn’t to be
Gabriel: 7/10 - Engaged in an absorbing duel with Bryan Mbuelmo at times. An effort that somehow off his back from a Bukayo Saka corner nearly beat Bees keeper Mark Flakken at his near post, in what would have been a remarkably strange goal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7.5/10 - In a low-key opening, it was fascinating to study the Arsenal left-back Ukraine international morph into a defensive midfielder at times, offering support to Declan Rice in the middle as the 29-year-old acted as inverted left-back. Showed excellent anticipation to clear off the line in the second half with Ramsdale struggling to keep out Neal Maupay’s header
Leandro Trossard: 6.5/10 - Fired over when well-placed early on and had his header ruled out by VAR for offside on a frustrating afternoon for the former Brighton attacker
Declan Rice: 8/10 - After a week in England colours including an influential starting role in Skopje during the 1-1 draw against North Macedonia it was good to have the 25-year-old return unscathed. Unlucky to have an excellent strike ruled out at Wembley against Malta but thrived in a midfielder three against Brentford. A world class midfielder whose powerful low drive late in the second half narrowly flew the wrong side of Flekken’s right-hand post
Martin Odegaard: 6.5/10 - A welcome return for the Gunners captain as he attempted to break the deadlock with deft touches and swift movement on and off the ball
Gabi Martinelli: 6.5/10 - Lively but not as influential as he would have liked. Replaced by Kai Havertz on 78 minutes
Gabriel Jesus: 6/10 - Good to have the Brazil striker back in the starting line-up. Involved in an intriguing match up against the Bees’ Ethan Pinnock. Failed to test Bees keeper Flekken when he fired over before the break, prior to having an effort palmed away shortly afterwards – all of which underlined the argument that, unfortunately, Arsenal still require a prolific striker
Bukayo Saka: 6.5/10 - Another England star the Gunners were glad to have return unscathed from the Balkans this week. Whether it was the travelling as part of a long week, but the 22-year-old seemed to be on delay when taking corners as he eased back in the hustle and bustle of Premier League action
Substitutes:
Eddie Nketiah: 6.5/10 - Replaced Jesus on 65 minutes and nearly forced Flekken to concede when attempting to play the ball out practically on the goal line
Kai Havertz: 8/10 - On for Martinelli late on to grab the winner late on to put Arsenal top of the Premier League
