Late Havertz header against Brentford puts Arsenal top 

Havertz celebrates his winner in front of the Arsenal fans.

Arsenal 2 Brentford 1

A howler from returning goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale did not stop Arsenal going top of the Premier League as they scored late on to defeat Brentford 2-1.

Goals from Declan Rice and Kai Havertz secured Arsenal their eighth league win in a row, as they returned to the top of the Premier League for the first time since December.

After a disruptive beginning to the match, it took until the 19th minute for Arsenal to take the lead with their first meaningful shot of the match. Intrinsic play between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka found Ben White on the edge of the box, with his cross into box met by Rice, who powered his header into the bottom corner to an eruption of noise from inside the Emirates Stadium.

Rice's sixth goal of the season was just what Mikel Arteta's men deserved, having bided their time through the visitors' low defensive block. After the goal Brentford rarely threatened, with the home side showing off their superiority compared to their relegation threatened rivals for much of the first period.

However, the hosts self imploded on the stroke of half-time as Thomas Frank's side drew level. The returning Ramsdale spent too long on the ball and Yoane Wissa pounced, sliding in on the goalkeeper's attempted clearance and deflecting the ball into the back of the net.

Ramsdale was far from convincing at the start of the second half, with his attempted punch from a corner falling to Vitaly Janelt, but the German midfielder could only fire over the bar. But an outstanding stretching save in the 55th minute from Ivan Toney's ambitious long range shot instantly revived the flattening mood amongst the home supporters.

Havertz was lucky to escape being sent off for a second bookable offence in the 65th minute, after replays showed he dived in an attempt to win a penalty against Nathan Collins, with the Gunners searched for a vital second goal. Five minutes later Ramsdale produced another good save to deny Collins, with the Englishman appearing to have put his error beyond him.

Rice was unfortunate not to claim a second of the match in the 74th minute as his curling effort from the edge of the box bounced agonisingly off the crossbar.

But it was pandemonium for Mikel Arteta's side, as the hosts retook the lead on 86 minutes. Odegaard and White combined once again, with the defender's cross finding Havertz six yards from goal, and the German's powerful header was too much for Brentford keeper Mark Flekken as the Gunners showed their title credentials once again.

Victory for Arsenal sent them back to the summit, whilst Brentford's 11th defeat in 14 matches saw them remain in 15th place.

Arsenal: Ramsdale 5; White 7, Saliba 6, Gabriel 6, Kiwior (Zinchenko, 79') 5, Jorginho (Jesus, 70') 5, Rice 8, Odegaard (Partey, 90+') 7, Trossard (Nelson, 79') 6, Havertz 7, Saka 6.

Subs not used: Hein, Cedric, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nketiah.

Brentford: Flekken 6; Roerslev 5, Collins 6, Zanka (Damsgaard, 90') 5, Ajer 6, Lewis-Potter 5, Onyeka (Yarmoliuk, 78') 5, Norgaard (Jensen, 33') 5, Janelt (Ghoddos, 90') 6, Wissa (Maupay, 78') 7, Toney 6.

Subs not used: Strakosha, Ji-Soo, Arthur, Baptiste.