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 18:01 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 31 minutes

A few whistles and boos as Bukayo Saka prepares to take but he is hasty enough this time, Gabriel Magalhaes the target of the delivery but finding only the back of the side netting with an awkward attempted header.

[25 November 2023 18:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 30 minutes

Good work from Gabriel Jesus and better still from Ethan Pinnock. Jesus takes the ball into his feet about ten yards out and spins deftly, but Pinnock stays with him and gets a blocking foot across as the Arsenal striker releases his shot.

Arsenal soon win a corner.

[25 November 2023 17:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 27 minutes

Bryan Mbeumo draws some applause from his manager and the crowd after some nifty footwork to extricate himself from a pickle on the right. Brentford squander the resultant possession but that was a tidy bit of trickery from the Cameroon international.

[25 November 2023 17:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 25 minutes

Another chance for Trossard. It’s a beauty of a ball from Oleksandr Zinchenko, whipped over the head of Kristoffer Ajer on to his teammate’s head, but the Belgian is unable to get the right connection to divert the cross goalwards.

[25 November 2023 17:54 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 23 minutes

That’s a decent little opening for Christian Norgaard, the Brentford captain arriving onto the ball 20 yards out after it spins away from a collision between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Saman Ghoddos. The Dane strikes cleanly enough, but like Leandro Trossard earlier puts too much loft on the shot.

[25 November 2023 17:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 21 minutes

This system does allow Brentford to get out to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in good number, which might be why Mikel Arteta felt Leandro Trossard could be of value as an extra creator in midfield. Martinelli is found by Oleksandr Zinchenko but Frank Onyeka and Saman Ghoddos have him well handled.

[25 November 2023 17:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 19 minutes

The experience of Ben Mee will be valuable tonight, with the left-sided centre-half sliding back in a timely manner as Arsenal probe the channels. Thomas Frank scrawls some notes in his book with his multicoloured pen.

[25 November 2023 17:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 17 minutes

Thomas Frank will be reasonably pleased by this start, you’d say. Brentford look comfortable in their 5-3-2, even with all of those injury-enforced adjustments.

(Getty Images)

[25 November 2023 17:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 16 minutes

Referee Tim Robinson has a conversation with Martin Odegaard as Leandro Trossard takes his time over the Arsenal corner. Is this a deliberate ploy from the visitors to try and get Brentford to show their hand? I’d imagine another unnecessary pause will result in a card given the desire to speed the game up this season.

[25 November 2023 17:46 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Brentford 0-0 Arsenal, 15 minutes

Frank Onyeka takes a sore one, an attempted cross right in the kisser of the Brentford midfielder. That’ll sting on a chilly night. Corner kick.