sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Declan Rice and Kai Havertz excel in advanced roles as Arsenal ... trends now
Kai Havertz scored a late winner against Brentford to catapult Arsenal top of the Premier League - and spare Aaron Ramsdale his blushes.
Declan Rice had headed the Gunners in front after 19 minutes but on the stroke of half-time, Ramsdale suffered a calamity.
The goalkeeper dithered on the ball and was closed down by Yoane Wissa, whose intervention saw the ball end up in Arsenal's goal on the stroke of half-time.
Havertz's late winner released the cork on the Emirates as a sea of red exploded in ecstasy. This was no beautiful win, but it was a win, and that was all that mattered.
Here are Riath Al-Samarrai's ratings from the game.
Kai Havertz scored an emphatic winner to send Arsenal to the top of the Premier League
This was not luxury performance from Arsenal but they did show determination and desire
Aaron Ramsdale - 6.5
After effectively gifting Yoane Wissa a goal with a lapse of concentration, Ramsdale faced a mental test. And rose to it. Made some pivotal saves in the second half, including from a stunning Ivan Toney long shot, to prove his mettle.
Ben White - 7.5
Arsenal look so good with pure full-backs. White was a menace up the wing, providing the crosses for Rice and Havertz's goals.
William Saliba - 6
Generally coped well in the physical cut and thrust with Toney.
Gabriel - 6
Made the backpass that led to Wissa's goal, but there was little wrong with it. A quiet afternoon. Brentford had a few chances so Arsenal could have defender better, but it was a solid enough evening.
Aaron Ramsdale had the world on his shoulders after conceding from a calamitious error, but made up for it with vital saves in the second half
Ben White was critical to Arsenal's victory, setting up both of those goals with fine crosses
Jakub Kiwior - 6
Kiwior is making the left-back position his own and has
