In today’s Premier League match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on November 25, Kai Havertz emerged as the unexpected winner.
Kai Havertz replaced Gabriel Martinelli in the 79th minute. Since joining the team from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, Havertz has struggled to make a lasting impression on coach Mikel Arteta’s squad.
It appeared that the Premier League match would conclude in a dull draw when the Germany international entered the game, but Havertz managed to give the visitors the full three points.
Despite Mikel Arteta’s mainly forgettable 200th game in command of the Gunners in west London, Havertz’s strike in the 88th minute preserved something.
After the two clubs drew earlier on Saturday, the victory moves them one point clear of second-place Manchester City and third-place Liverpool.
In the first half, Leandro Trossard of Arsenal had a goal disallowed by the video assistance referee. However, Brentford’s loss was unjustified because Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko produced last-man clearances to keep the Gunners in the match.
With 12 minutes remaining, Kai Havertz came off the bench, and his goal in the 89th minute turned out to be the game-winning play.
The big storyline prior to Havertz entering the game concerned whether goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale would be able to capitalize on his first Premier League start since September because David Raya, Arteta’s preferred loanee goalkeeper, was not allowed to play against his parent club.
Unfortunately, Kai Havertz’s goal has eclipsed Ramsdale’s clean sheet effort, lifting Arsenal back to the top of the league table with 30 points from 13 games.