Mikel Arteta hailed match-winner Kai Havertz as an “distinctive participant” after his late header noticed Arsenal beat Brentford to maneuver high of the Premier League.
With title rivals Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis dealing with off on Sunday, any victory for Arsenal would have taken them to the summit for the primary time in 2024 – they are going to keep there if that sport is drawn.
It seemed like they have been on target to overlook out after returning goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale gifted a purpose to Yoane Wissa to cancel out a superb Declan Rice header, just for Havertz to transform with 4 minutes remaining to safe a 2-1 victory.
Havertz was serenaded by the house followers at full-time as he made it 4 objectives in his final 4 league video games, persevering with to bely the criticism of his early-season type following his transfer from Chelsea.
“I’m so glad,” Arteta stated when requested if Havertz had now justified his big-money transfer.
“If someone instructed me after the primary two or three months that the entire stadium could be singing his track with that keenness, with that feeling, with that chemistry, I’d have discovered it onerous to imagine.
“That’s what occurs to good individuals. He’s an distinctive participant. When he begins to attain objectives like this and all the things begins to movement individuals really feel extra linked with him.
“They see his work fee, they see his intelligence, they see how he performs for the staff and the way he’s contributing. It’s not possible to not love him.”
Rice rose to go house a career-best sixth purpose of the season however deep in first-half stoppage time, Ramsdale collected a routine back-pass from Gabriel Maghalaes however dallied in possession and his tried clearance was blocked into the online by Wissa.
Ramsdale has not performed for the reason that return sport at Brentford in November after shedding the battle for the Arsenal primary spot to David Raya – who’s on mortgage from the Bees and subsequently ineligible in opposition to his father or mother membership – and this might but be his closing outing for the Gunners.
He recovered to make two sensible saves within the second-half and Arteta was happy his error didn’t in the end value the Gunners.
“I’m actually glad particularly as a result of he did precisely what he’s, which is an individual with enormous character and braveness, very decided,” he stated.
“Errors are a part of soccer. It’s the way you react to it, particularly for the keepers which might be probably the most tough place. He did so in an incredible approach. I’m not stunned as a result of the entire staff and the entire stadium was behind him.
“He has earned that respect and admiration. We actually needed to win for him.”
Havertz’s header meant Ramsdale’s blushes have been spared – however Brentford boss Thomas Frank felt the Germany ahead was fortunate to nonetheless be on the pitch to attain the winner.
Having been booked for an elbow on Kristoffer Ajer, he managed to keep away from a second warning regardless of seemingly diving in an try and win a penalty.
“Havertz is a transparent, clear dive,” stated Frank.
“I want they might simply admit it. I don’t know if he has as a result of that occurs on a regular basis, each week somebody is doing it. I do know it occurs.
“That ought to in fact been a second yellow and a pink card. After which he wouldn’t be capable to rating the winner and hopefully possibly we might have gained a bit bit extra momentum, possibly to win the sport.”
