Arsenal, uninspired, cracked Brentford (1-0) on a late goal from incoming Kai Havertz on Saturday to seize first place in the championship, made accessible after the 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Liverpool earlier.
The Gunners are one point ahead of the Citizens, three-time reigning champions, thanks to an improbable scorer, Havertz, an expensive recruit who only scored his second goal on Saturday in the evening of his twentieth match with Arsenal.
The former Chelsea player’s first achievement was a penalty, generously offered by his teammates, two months ago against Bournemouth. This time, the German went for it with a header on a cross from Bukayo Saka (89th), ten minutes after coming into play.
Arsenal will therefore host Lens on Wednesday in the Champions League as leader of the Premier League. Four days before this match, coach Mikel Arteta had lined up almost his typical team, with one notable exception: starting goalkeeper David Raya, on loan from Brentford, was in the stands.
N.2 Aaron Ramsdale, downgraded at the start of the season, had a difficult match, between mockery from the opposing public and a lack of control that was too often visible. Fortunately for him, Declan Rice replaced him on the goal line after a missed clearance (14th) and Oleksandr Zinchenko also became a savior on a header from Neal Maupay (77th) which took the road to goal.