Havertz spares Ramsdale's blushes as Arsenal go top in dramatic style

Mikel Arteta's side were just minutes away from a damaging draw after Gunners keeper Ramsdale gifted an equaliser to Yoane Wissa. Declan Rice put Arsenal ahead early in the first half, but Ramsdale waited too long to clear just before the interval and Wissa took advantage to block the ball into the net.

Havertz ensured Arsenal would not miss their chance to climb into first place with a bullet header four minutes from the final whistle at a jubilant Emirates Stadium. The north Londoners' eighth successive league victory lifted them one point clear of previous leaders Liverpool. Arsenal will stay top on goal difference if second-placed Liverpool and third-placed Manchester City draw in their blockbuster clash at Anfield on Sunday.

The much-maligned Havertz's ninth goal since his move from Chelsea underlined Arsenal's hunger to make amends for blowing an eight-point lead in the title race last season. It is crunch time for Arsenal's dreams of a first Premier League title since 2004 and a maiden Champions League triumph.

On Tuesday, they will try to turn around a 1-0 deficit against Porto in the Champions League last 16 second leg, while their next Premier League game is at Manchester City on March 31. Revitalised by a January training camp in Dubai, the Gunners have scored 33 goals and conceded just four during their blistering winning streak.

A 6-0 rout of Sheffield United on Monday maintained Arsenal's powerful surge and they were quickly on the attack against Brentford. Monopolising possession in metronomic fashion, Arsenal squeezed Brentford deeper and deeper before taking the lead in the 19th minute.

Ben White whipped over a perfectly weighted cross from the right and Rice rose highest to thump a header past Brentford