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 17:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 14 minutes

A shocker from Aaron Ramsdale but Declan Rice spares his blushes! A horror moment for the goalkeeper, with Yoane Wissa nicking the ball from him as he messes around in his own six-yard box after Gabriel takes a goal kick. Bryan Mbeumo creates space as the ball breaks to him and fires goalwards, but Rice is back to firefight expertly, blcoking on the line with a relieved Ramsdale over quickly to offer thanks.

(Getty Images)

[25 November 2023 17:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 13 minutes

Aaron Ramsdale continues to cop some stick from the Brentford fans, with holding his concentration likely to be a challenge if Arsenal, as expected, dominate the ball.

Brentford take possession from them and Bryan Mbeumo peels out to the right, looking to get at Gabriel Magalhaes from slightly wider. Gabriel does well.

[25 November 2023 17:41 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 11 minutes

Bukayo Saka takes an age to deliver, eventually finding the double-fisted thrust of a leaping Mark Flekken, who returns the ball to the Arsenal and England man. Saka draws a couple of defenders and lays the ball off for Leandro Trossard, and the Belgian should do much more with his effort on goal. A backwards lean sends it flying over the crossbar with Flekken untroubled.

[25 November 2023 17:40 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 10 minutes

Vitaly Janelt is forced to concede a corner, the makeshift left-wing-back pressured and knocking out of play. Arsenal load the box.

[25 November 2023 17:39 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 9 minutes

Gabriel Jesus looks to be feeling at his leg a bit, the Brazilian’s injury perhaps still bothering him. One to monitor.

[25 November 2023 17:38 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 8 minutes

A loose pass from Frank Onyeka, but the midfielder makes amends, retreating towards the Brentford defence and pinching the ball before an Arsenal quartet can advance with intent.

[25 November 2023 17:37 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 6 minutes

Takehiro Tomiyasu turns on the ball and tries to advance up the right, running out of room having rather lost his bearings as he pivoted. The right back offers a raised hand of apology to his teammates.

[25 November 2023 17:36 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 5 minutes

Leandro Trossard is the leftward member of Arsenal’s midfield three, stacked slightly ahead of Martin Odegaard, who is more advanced than Declan Rice. Trossard is sticking tightly to Frank Onyeka in Arsenal’s defensive shape.

[25 November 2023 17:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 4 minutes

It’s Gabriel Martinelli who is found by Martin Odegaard, but the Brazilian forward makes a mess of his attempted header, spooning it up rather than on and rather wasting a decent opportunity with Brentford failing to track his run.

[25 November 2023 17:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 2 minutes

Sonia Twigg is our reporter at the ground this evening and can hear some early taunts from home fans towards Aaron Ramsdale, the stand-in stopped being unfavourably compared with David Raya.

An early free kick for Arsenal upfield, though, and William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes lumber forward to lend their height.