Havertz last-minute goal secures vital points for Arsenal at Emirate

Kai Havertz scored in the 86th-minute goal to help Arsenal defeat London neighbours Brentford at the Emirates. Arsenal defeated Brentford 2-1, with Ben White creating assists for the two goals to help the Gunners jump to the top of the league table. 

It was also the eighth consecutive win for Arsenal so far in 2024, becoming the fourth club to do so after Manchester United, Liverpool, and City. 

According to Opta, those clubs went ahead to win the league that year. 

The game 

Arsenal had broken the deadlock in the 19th minute with Declan Rice’s header from a cross from Ben White. 

Three minutes before Arsenal took the lead, Leandro Trossard missed a counter to break the deadlock for Arsenal after Nigerian player Frank Onyeka intercepted the Belgian. 

Despite getting the better of their visitors, Arsenal intensified for a second goal as Bukayo Saka’s combination with Havertz went wide and Captain Martin Odegaard’s cross to Rice was also parried to a corner. 

But after an error by Aaron Ramsdale, who failed to clear a back pass that Yoane Wissa tapped in, Arsenal conceded a goal on the cusps of the first half.

Meanwhile, Ramsdale made credible saves in the second half with consecutive clearances to deny Ivan Toney. 

With the second half seeming to end in a draw, Havertz became the match winner for Arsenal in the 86th with an assist from Ben White. 

Elsewhere, in the game earlier played, Manchester United returned to winning ways with two first half goals over Everton at the Old Trafford Bridge. 

Alex Iwobi’s strike wasn’t enough for Fulham to level up with Wolves, who defeated the visitors 2-1 at the Molineux Stadium.