by As Kai Havertz’s late header hit the back of the net, the lone man standing inside the Arsenal half did not feel the palpable relief across the red half of north London.
For much of this game, Aaron Ramsdale looked like he had saved his Premier League side with a mistake of epic proportions. But, as the frenzy rippled through the Emirates with each passing minute, Arsenal grabbed a crucial winner.
As Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Sunday evening, it was a victory that could yet be decisive in the title destination in a few months’ time. Eighth straight league win and none more desperate, hard-fought or important.
Related: Arsenal 2-1 Brentford: Premier League – what happened
It was courtesy of nothing more than fortuitous loan regulations that even the less-than-spotty Ramsdale was awarded just his second Premier League start since the start of September – the other coming against Brentford when the loan David Raya able to face his parent club.
The out-of-favour goalkeeper would be desperate to catch the eye as he contemplates a likely future away from the Emirates. No doubt he did so, but in the worst possible way.
Arsenal were so dominant with almost every kick in the first half that their 1-0 scoreline in the last minute of first-half stoppage time was a scant reflection of the gulf between the two sides. But just as the referee was considering ending proceedings, Ramsdale dropped a clanger that would end any lingering hopes of resurrecting his Arsenal career.
With no pressure when Gabriel handed the ball back to him, Ramsdale’s first touch was enough to pick the target of his choice. If only the speed of his thought process matched his right leg.
The Arsenal goalkeeper paid the ultimate price for not holding on to the ball for a good enough period, allowing Yoane Wissa to push forward for his long-delayed clearance. As the ball headed back towards its goal, Ramsdale had a moment to consider the cost of the error as he watched it sail into the empty net. “You’re just David Raya shit,” said the exultant traveling fan.
The west Londoners were kept quiet for an entire opening period where they were lucky not to see their side fall further than a solitary goal.
With injuries hampering their campaign, Thomas Frank was only able to replace Sergio Reguilón from the starting XI that struggled to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea last weekend. Most of Arsenal’s flowing attacking exploits were so intense that the Spaniard could be forgiven for thanking the hamstring injury that ended his participation.
Keane Lewis-Potter, the unlucky substitute for Reguilón, was given the relentless task of trying to tackle Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White, whose joy on the right was evident from the start.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal broke a short-lived comeback from a goal created by that side, even if it was a marginal morale boost. Avoiding the complex triangulation that was regularly on display, Saka chose to lay the ball back to White, who had enough time to cut the simplest of crosses for Declan Rice to attack with venom. Its header was highlighted and showed the flexibility of the host.
Arteta’s side had plenty of chances to go further before half-time, the best of which came through their fine brand of one-way football which provided Jorginho’s delightful knock, which set Havertz free behind the Brentford defence. Alas, the German missed a great chance, diving past Mark Flekken but wide of the post.
No sooner had 10 minutes passed after half-time when he would have wanted anything more than an absolutely inevitable second period than Ramsdale’s heart was again in his mouth.
After carefully seeing a long ball over his shoulder, Arsenal goalkeeper Ivan Toney unleashed a compassionate first-time shot from 35 yards that looked destined to fly over Ramsdale’s head from his position near the penalty spot.
Thanks to the Arsenal goalkeeper, his desperate diving dive was enough to move the ball across the stretch.
A goal from Brentford would – once again – come against the run of play and, against the backdrop of an increasingly fearful Emirates support, Arsenal were soon to regain their lead. Gabriel’s header glanced off the goalkeeper, Vitaly Janelt only managed to stop its path on the goal line.
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With the tension building, Ramsdale – intent on filling every part of his day’s bingo card – produced a blinding saw to deny Nathan Collins’ header, before curling beautifully past Rice against the crossbar from 25 yards. .
And then, finally, with hope slipping away, the cork was released. White played a simple one-two with Ødegaard, before crossing to Havertz to nod home unmarked from close range. Arsenal’s run continues, just about.
