3 positives & negatives from Arsenal's late win against Brentford
- Arsenal left it late to beat Brentford
- Kai Havertz's header sent Arsenal top
- German spared Aaron Ramsdale's blushses
![Arsenal FC v Brentford FC - Premier League Arsenal FC v Brentford FC - Premier League](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_60/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/209/01hrjmbyhrj0w3d4rjq0.jpg)
Positive #2: Top of the league for the first time since Christmas
The title race is in full swing and as we head into the final 10 games of the season, we finally sit top of the league once again. With Liverpool and Manchester City facing off on Sunday, the game against Brentford was a huge opportunity.
The Gunners have been considered the outsiders in the race for the title this season and while that may still be true, the win against Brentford saw us go top of the league with our eighth win on the bounce. In fact, without the wobble over Christmas against Fulham and West Ham, Arsenal would be currently on their third straight month at the top of the league.
It was vital that Arsenal took advantage of the opportunity to go top and they achieved it in dramatic fashion. As a result, Arsenal will end the weekend in at least second place and could end the weekend top if results go our way.
There is still a long way to go in the season and there are sure to be many twists and turns, but if Arsenal continue to apply the pressure like they have been, they have a huge chance at winning the league this season and earning our first league title in 20 years.
Negative #2: Aaron Ramsdale’s error almost cost us again
I am a huge fan of Aaron Ramsdale and like many Arsenal fans was gutted when he lost his spot in the first team. However, in his return to the starting 11 he proved why he was dropped in the first place by Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal were fairly comfortable heading into half time until Ramsdale failed to clear his lines under pressure, allowing Wissa to level the game. The goalkeeper has clearly been affected by the way the goalkeeping situation was managed and has looked a bag of nerves on every appearance since. However, this is not the first time this has happened. Ramsdale made a similar mistake earlier in the season against Brentford, but that time was saved by a Declan Rice goal-line clearance.
Cast your mind back to the run-in last season where Arsenal dropped crucial points against Southampton following another Ramsdale mistake. He clearly loves the club and the fans love him back, but it is clear to see why he is no longer the number one.
In the end, Havertz was able to save Ramsdale’s blushes and in fairness, the keeper made a number of big saves to keep the scores level, but this has happened too many times and I wouldn’t be shocked if that was the Englishman’s final Arsenal appearance.
Continued on next slide...