Arsenal player ratings: Ben White keeps up attacking threat but Aaron Ramsdale has howler against Brentford
ARSENAL left it late to defeat Brentford in a thrilling London derby at the Emirates.
Kai Havertz’s 86th minute header from a sumptuous Ben White cross sent the home fans delirous.
Earlier, the Gunners looked on course to secure a comfortable win when Declan Rice headed them into a 19th minute lead.
But an Aaron Ramsdale howler after he slammed the ball against Yoane Wissa into his own net let the visitors back in.
However, they weren’t to be undone and managed to secure all three points thanks to the ex-Chelsea stars late strike.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars.
AARON RAMSDALE – 5/10
First pass was wayward. Great distribution from a corner to set Leandro Trossard away, unlucky not to get an assist to his name. Almost pulled it off again but this time too long.
And then, the howler. Took an age to get the ball out of his feet inside the six-yard box and allowed Yoane Wissa to charge him down into his own net.
Still looked distraught after the break, but pulled off a top save to deny an Ivan Toney screamer from 40 yards, and again to tip over Nathan Collins’ header.
BEN WHITE – 9
His influence at the top end of the pitch is there for all to see. After nicking a goal in the Monday night demolition of Sheffield United, his first half cross teed up Declan Rice.
And then, in the 86th minute, a carbon copy delivery handed Havertz the winner. That is now four assists in the Prem this campaign.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Let the ball through his legs for Toney in the box but luckily the offside flag saved his blushes. Got his own back with a thumping bodycheck on the Englishman.
GABRIEL – 7
Booked inside opening 10 minutes for a needless shirt pull on Wissa. There was nothing wrong with his pass back to Ramsdale that ended up in the net.
JAKUB KIWIOR – 7
Went close early on with a flicked header from a corner and put in another great defensive shift, as well as a few decent deliveries in attack.
Solidifying himself as Arsenal’s first choice left-back as it stands.
JORGINHO – 7
Reliable and steady once again. A much-loved presence in this starting XI for several weeks now, and showed off his ability to dink balls over the top to great effect.
DECLAN RICE – 8
This man just gets better and better with every passing game, and now he is adding goals to his growing repertoire, glancing a great header into the bottom corner from White’s cross.
It is now three goals in his last five Prem appearances, and could have been four if not for the top of the crossbar.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 8
At his influential best with direct passes through eye-of-the-needle gaps. Without the ball, he was pressing the living daylights out of Brentford’s back three.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Set away by Ramsdale from a Brentford corner but didn’t have the pace to make it to the box. Otherwise, wasteful with ball at feet in attacking positions.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Doubled up on by Brentford’s left-sided duo, he found it hard at times to stand out, but is more than happy these days to take the heat so long as his teammates deliver.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brentford did well to crowd him out in the box when he created himself some half chances resulting in a few tame efforts straight at Mark Flekken.
Put through by Jorginho with a gorgeous dink, the German chipped wide, although he was relieved to see the offside flag raised.
His influence faded as the game went on, but Arteta kept the faith and was rewarded with a magnificent header to snatch the win.
SUBS
GABRIEL JESUS (JORGINHO, 70) – 6
A few neat touches and offered something different with his pace. Arteta will be pleased to have him to call on with the season coming to an end.