Arsenal stormed back to the top of the Premier League in a thrilling encounter with Brentford, thanks to a dramatic late winner from Kai Havertz.

The German star, proving his worth after a blockbuster transfer, sealed the victory for the Gunners, showcasing the firepower they’ve added to their already impressive squad.

Here are some lesser known stats behind the win at the weekend and Arsenal’s title surge this season.

Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz scores the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz scores the team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

£60m down the drain? Kai Havertz scores again

Five of Arsenal’s 20 victories in the league this season have been secured with goals netted after the 85th minute.

On this occasion, Kai Havertz emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive late goal.

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The German attacker is currently experiencing his most prolific goal-scoring season in the Premier League, equalling his personal best (eight).

70 in 28

Arsenal's German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s German midfielder #29 Kai Havertz celebrates scoring the team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

This season, The Gunners have found the back of the net 70 times in just 28 league matches, achieving this goal tally quicker than any season since 1963-64, when they did it in 27 games.

2 becomes 1

LONDON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates after teammate Kai Havertz (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on March 09, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates after teammate Kai Havertz (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brentford FC at Emirates Stadium on March 09, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all had to field their number two goalkeepers this weekend at some point.

Arsenal had Aaron Ramsdale in goal as David Raya was ineligible to face his parent club, Liverpool fielded Caoimhin Kelleher due to Allison’s injury while City were forced to bring on Stefan Ortega after Ederson injured himself giving away a penalty.

Arsenal beating the Big Six

Manchester City's English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s English midfielder Jack Grealish (L) vies with Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) during the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, in London, August 6, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have the best record when it comes to the ‘Big Six’ playing each other. In fact, when Arsenal, City and Liverpool have played each other this season, only Arsenal have managed to win any games, beating both Liverpool and City.

Neither Liverpool nor City have won against each other or Arsenal.

Hard to watch as Ramsdale flunks his last chance [Daily Mail]

Hard to watch as Ramsdale flunks his last chance Daily Mail11 Mar 2024ISAAN KHAN at the Emirates Stadium REUTERS/GETTY IMAGES Jeepers keepers: Wissa deflects Ramsdale’s poor clearance into the net IF this proves to be the final act of Aaron Ramsdale’s Arsenal career, what a sorry ending. It could even have been worse if Kai Havertz had not come to his rescue with an 86th- minute headed winner to see off Brentford. Ramsdale’s nightmare moment came when Gabriel’s pass trickled along the floor to him in first-half stoppage time. The goalkeeper’s right leg cocked back seemingly for an age, allowing Yoane Wissa to execute a slide tackle and deflect the attempted clearance into the net. It was poor. The Arsenal substitutes and backroom staff made their way over to Ramsdale at half-time, slapping him on the back by way of encouragement, but the damage had been done. The first seeds of doubt were sown for Ramsdale on the evening of September 17, when Raya replaced him for the 1- 0 victory over Everton. It was the start of the end for Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta spoke of how keepers are interchangeable, suggesting they could be swapped between games or even within a game. But there has been no hint of rotation Ramsdale has warmed the bench, only featuring in cup ties, a Champions League deadrubber and the two games against Raya’s parent club Brentford, for which the Spaniard was ineligible. Ramsdale’s matchdefining displays last season, particularly in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool when he pulled off two sensational stoppage-time saves, seem an awfully long time ago. On his day, he is exceptional, a keeper who exudes bravery in the air and has great distribution on the counter-attack. This was seen early on against Brentford when he sent Leandro Trossard through on goal with a monstrous throw after retrieving the ball from a corner. But unfortunately it is the howlers for which Ramsdale will be remembered this season. Arteta called on Gareth Southgate to look past Ramsdale’s club exclusion and consider him for England’s Euros squad. Lo and behold, Southgate was here on Saturday. Some pressure. Ramsdale cannot be accused of a lack of effort. His professionalism has stood out and he has never publicly complained about losing his place. A sign of how much playing for the club means to him was evident before the Champions League match in Seville. The Arsenal Twitter account announced that his wife Georgina had given birth to their son. Three days later, Ramsdale flew to Spain, despite knowing he was unlikely to be required. If this is his last appearance in a Gunners shirt — he is expected to have many suitors in the summer — one can only hope that wherever he goes, he regains his confidence and rebuilds his career. ARSENAL (4-3-3): Ramsdale 5.5; White 7.5, Saliba 6.5, Gabriel 6.5, Kiwior 6.5 (Zinchenko 80min); Odegaard 7 (Partey 90+5), Jorginho 7 (Jesus 70, 6), RICE 8.5; Saka 7, Havertz 7.5, Trossard 6.5 (Nelson 79). Scorers: Rice 19, Havertz 86. Booked: Gabriel, Havertz. Manager: Mikel Arteta 7. BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Flekken 6.5; Jorgensen 6 (Damsgaard 90), Ajer 6.5, Collins 7; Roerslev 5.5, Onyeka 6 (Yarmoliuk 78), Norgaard 6 (Jensen 34, 6.5), Janelt 6, Lewis-Potter 6; Toney 6, Wissa 7 (Maupay 78). Scorer: Wissa 45+4. Booked: Onyeka, Jorgensen, Wissa, Collins. Manager: Thomas Frank 6. Referee: Robert Jones 7. Attendance: 60,331. Article Name:Hard to watch as Ramsdale flunks his last chance Publication:Daily Mail Author:ISAAN KHAN at the Emirates Stadium Start Page:12 End Page:12
Daily Mail 11 March 2024

Make no mistake, the Mail made a choice with this headline. While Aaron Ramsdale did make a massive mistake, it was ultimately not costly and his two fantastic saves in the second half arguably influenced the result more.

Not so defensive, Declan [Daily Telegraph]

telegraph declan rice

Declan Rice has transformed from being perceived as a basic defensive midfielder into a dynamic attacking force, a transition that has been particularly notable since joining Arsenal eight months ago.

His perception as a player who was primarily there to protect the back four has changed drastically, as he has become a key figure in a team leading the Premier League in goals this season.

Encouraged by Mikel Arteta to adopt a more offensive role, Rice has embraced this new challenge, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s attacking prowess with six goals this season, marking his most successful in terms of goal-scoring, and adding four assists since taking over set-piece duties.

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Key stats from Telegraph article on Declan Rice

  • Declan Rice has scored six goals this season, marking the most prolific campaign of his career so far.
  • He has scored three goals in his past six appearances.
  • Since taking over set-piece duties in January, Rice has four assists.
  • In Arsenal’s recent eight-match winning streak in the league, the team has averaged 65 percent possession.
  • Over the course of the past three league matches, Rice has taken 13 touches in the opposition penalty area, compared to a combined total of one in the previous five matches.
  • This season, Rice has a total of 12 goal involvements (six goals and six assists).
  • His previous best return over a full campaign was nine, which he achieved in each of his last two years at West Ham.

Telegraph tip Liverpool to win the Premier League

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Daily Telegraph predict the remaining fixtures
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