Brentford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reactions as substitute Kai Havertz scores winner

Brentford 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz’s winner takes the Gunners to the top of the table

Odegaard and Jesus available, White we will see - Arteta

Arsenal went top of the Premier League as Kai Havertz headed home a late winner against Brentford.

After the draw between Manchester City and Liverpool had opened the door for Arsenal to take top spot, it looked for so long like it would be a night to forget for Mikel Arteta’s side as they struggled to breakdown aresolute home defence.

But a piece of Bukayo Saka brilliance put a goal on a plate for Havertz, and the German sharply directed a downward header past Mark Flekken to snatch a 1-0 victory.

The visitors had barely got out of first gear on a chilly London evening and failed to create many clear chances, while Aaron Ramsdale - standing in for the ineligible David Raya in goal - endured a couple of nervy moments at the other end.

Declan Rice spared his goalkeeper’s blushes with a last-ditch first half clearance, while Oleksandr Zinchenko also produced a timely clearance off the line to ensure Ramsdale’s goal was not breached.

And that alllowed Saka and Havertz to combine to secure three points that take Arteta’s men above both the defending champions and Liverpool to head the Premier League pack after 13 matches.

Follow all the reaction below plus get the latest Premier League odds and tips right here:

Brentford vs Arsenal live

• Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s hero, but under-pressure Aaron Ramsdale fails to impress
• Arsenal edge past Brentford to move to in the Premier League
• 89’ GOAL! - Havertz comes off the bench to nod Arsenal in front (BRE 0-1 ARS)
• 77’ OFF THE LINE! - Zinchenko clears the danger to spare Arsenal’s blushes (BRE 0-0 ARS)
• 68’ CLOSE! - Martinelli’s cross to Nketiah is headed clear by Mee (BRE 0-0 ARS)
• 51’ WIDE! - Mbeumo meets Wissa’s pass but pokes it past the post (BRE 0-0 ARS)
• 44’ NO GOAL! - VAR rules the goal out for offside (BRE 0-0 ARS)
• 42’ GOAL! - Trossard nods home scrappy goal for visitors (BRE 0-1 ARS)
• 40’ CLOSE! - Jesus draws a save out of Flekken (BRE 0-0 ARS)
• 14’ CHANCE! - Rice clears Mbeumo’s effort after Ramsdale mistake (BRE 0-0 ARS)

[25 November 2023 19:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 79 minutes

Perhaps Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal are just starting to drift, gesturing for Kai Havertz to hurry along and then delivering some extended instructions to the German. Havertz enters with Gabriel Martinelli taken off.

[25 November 2023 19:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 77 minutes

Outstanding from Oleksandr Zinchenko! A vital intervention from the left-back, Bryan Mbeumo standing up a cross which Neal Maupay can attack. His header appears goalbound but Zinchenko leaps across with a karate kick to clear as Arsenal clear a second effort of the evening off the line!

[25 November 2023 19:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 76 minutes

A rare error from William Saliba, overly focussed on Neal Maupay and letting Bryan Mbeumo nip in to take the ball away. Gabriel covers his centre-half partner’s shift, stepping across to the right to cut out a pass as Brentford’s front two try to combine.

[25 November 2023 19:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 73 minutes

This game could do with something to spark it into life. Arsenal continue to provide a polite rat-a-tat-tat on the door, but they are hardly pounding upon it, looking a touch short of energy and invention with Brentford holding firm.

(Getty Images)

[25 November 2023 19:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 71 minutes

Brentford make their first alterations, with Yoane Wissa and Yegor Yarmolyuk removed. Neal Maupay and a fit-again Shandon Baptiste are introduced.

[25 November 2023 19:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 71 minutes

That wasn’t so comfortable for Flekken, getting his feet in a tangle to offer a rapidly approaching Eddie Nketiah a chance to pinch it from him. To give some credit to the goalkeeper, he sorts himself out and escapes Nketiah’s clutches.

[25 November 2023 18:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 69 minutes

Bukayo Saka’s corner is rather less impressive; Mark Flekken watches it into the palms.

[25 November 2023 18:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 68 minutes

Almost an immediate impact! Gabriel Martinelli is getting livelier and livelier and so nearly finds Nketiah with an inswinging cross. A superb defensive header from Ben Mee prevents the substitute strieker converting.

[25 November 2023 18:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 66 minutes

Here is that Arsenal change, Eddie Nketiah with his gloves on and ready to take the place of Gabriel Jesus, who makes a laboured wander over to the touchline.

[25 November 2023 18:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 62 minutes

There are just a few spaces starting to appear for Brentford. Yoane Wissa accelerates up the left as Bryan Mbeumo passes out to Frank Onyeka on the right, but the midfielder’s pass towards a striding Wissa is skewed too close to the goalkeeper.