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Kai Havertz is thriving at Arsenal
Photo:
Justin Tallis/AFP
Arsenal FC is in the English Premier League title race.
Thanks to the 2:1 (1:1) against Brentford FC, the London club is at least temporarily in first place in the table.
The winning goal for the home team only came in the 86th minute, when German international Kai Havertz headed a cross from Ben White into the goal.
Previously, White had already prepared Arsenal's 1-0 win through Declan Rice (19th minute), and Yoane Wissa (45th + 4th) scored the equalizer for Brentford.
Although there was a victory to celebrate in the end, it was a setback given Arsenal's current top form.
The team had won all seven league games since the turn of the year - with a goal difference of 31:3.
Things got off to a good start against Brentford when Rice headed in a cross from White to take the lead (19').
The Gunners remained dominant, but a mistake from Aaron Ramsdale in first-half injury time gave Brentford an equalizer out of nowhere.
The goalkeeper only played because Arsenal's regular goalkeeper David Raya is on loan from Brentford and is not allowed to play against his actual club.
Ramsdale's loss of the ball allowed Wissa to equalize.
Havertz is on a roll
In the second half, Ramsdale became more confident and was able to prove itself with a long-range shot from Ivan Toney (55th) and a header from Nathan Collins (71st).
For Arsenal, Rice hit the crossbar from distance.
In the final phase, playmaker Martin Odegaard released White on the right with a pass.
On his cross, Havertz remained unchallenged in the center and headed his team to victory.
The 24-year-old continued his top form: Havertz has scored in each of the last four league games and added two assists.
However, in the opinion of visiting coach Thomas Frank, the German should not have been on the pitch when he scored the winning goal.
Already under yellow card after a foul, Havertz went down in the opponent's penalty area in the 66th minute after minimal contact with Brentford's Nathan Collins.
No foul, said the VAR - but also no foul from Havertz, according to referee Robert Jones.
Such a deliberate attempt at deception would have resulted in a yellow card and therefore a dismissal for the German.
It was “a clear, clear swallow” for the Dane Frank.
“I wish they would just admit it,” said Frank, according to consistent media reports.
With 64 points, Arsenal is in first place.
Liverpool FC follow one point behind, defending champions Manchester City are another point behind in third place.
The two pursuers face each other in the top game this Sunday (4:45 p.m., TV: Sky).
The Gunners continue in the Champions League on Tuesday, in the second leg of the round of 16 against FC Porto Arsenal want to make up for the 0-1 loss from the first leg (9 p.m., stream: Dazn).
mrk/AP