Arsenal Beat Brentford Despite Aaron Ramsdale Blunder

An Aaron Ramsdale error gifted a goal to Brentford striker Yoane Wissa but Arsenal still won 2-1 in the Premier League thanks to a late strike by Kai Havertz.

Arsenal went top of the Premier League on Saturday night thanks to a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz scored an 86th-minute winner for the Gunners after goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had gifted Brentford's Yoane Wissa a comical equalizer late in the first half.

Declan Rice had earlier scored Arsenal's opener. Both Gunners goals were assisted by Ben White.

Yoane Wissa pictured (right) scoring for Brentford by tackling Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during Saturday's Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium :: IMAGO/Sportimage/David Klein

Arsenal, high on confidence having won seven straight domestic games before Saturday, started well and went ahead in the 19th minute when Rice nodded home from 10 yards to score his sixth EPL goal of the season.

Havertz missed a big chance to make it 2-0 before Brentford leveled courtesy of a bizarre goal from Wissa.

Seven days after scoring from an acrobatic bicycle kick against Chelsea, Wissa found the net with a slide tackle at the Emirates.

Gabriel passed the ball back to Ramsdale, who set himself for a big kick forward. But before the former Sheffield United stopper could take a second touch he was charged down by Wissa and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

This was only Ramsdale's second EPL appearance since November when he featured in a 1-0 win away at Brentford.

Arsenal's first-choice keeper, David Raya, is currently on-loan from Brentford and therefore not permitted to play against his parent club.

Wissa on target for the third game in a row

Our goal at the Emirates this evening👇 pic.twitter.com/E5fPEy33wC

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) March 9, 2024

Ramsdale made two impressive saves following his blunder, including one to keep out an ambitious 40-yard effort from Ivan Toney.

At the other end, Rice rattled the Brentford crossbar before Havertz struck a late winner with a header from six yards.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank later said that Havertz should have been sent off before he scored.

Havertz was shown a yellow card late in the first half after catching Kristoffer Ajer with a stray elbow.

The Germany forward was then seemingly lucky to escape a second booking 20 minutes into the second half when he appeared to dive inside the penalty area.

Frank told Sky Sports: "I actually think, and I would never normally do this, but I think Havertz shouldn't be on the pitch when he scored the goal.

"For me, it was a clear dive - the penalty shout. If you see that slowly back, it's clear. Maybe, it's difficult for Rob [Jones] the ref but the linesman should have seen it, in my opinion, clearly."

Arsenal's win over Brentford was the fifth and final EPL game on Saturday.

Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 in the early game before Wolves won 2-1 against Fulham.

At the bottom of the table, Sheffield United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth, while Luton scored a 96th-minute equalizer to tie 1-1 at Crystal Palace.

Highlights: Arsenal 2-1 Brentford