Arsenal went top of the Premier League for the first time since Boxing Day with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford at Emirates Stadium.

Declan Rice had put Arsenal ahead in the 19th minute, only for Yoane Wissa to pounce on an error from Aaron Ramsdale in first-half stoppage time against the run of play. 

But Kai Havertz scored in the 86th minute to continue his fine form and earn Arsenal an eighth consecutive win, sending them first ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City, who meet at Anfield on Sunday.

How the match unfolded

Mikel Arteta was forced into two changes as Aaron Ramsdale and Leandro Trossard replaced the ineligible David Raya and injured Gabriel Martinelli.

Brentford made one change from their draw against Chelsea as Keane Lewis-Potter came in for Sergio Reguilon.

The first clear chance of the match fell to Christian Norgaard in the 15th minute, but his header from a corner was straight at Ramsdale.

Arsenal took the lead four minutes later when Declan Rice got on the end of Ben White’s cross and headed it past Mark Flekken for his sixth Premier League goal of the season, his best return to a season.

It was also the first time Rice has scored in back-to-back Premier League matches at the 232nd attempt. 

Just as Arsenal looked to be taking a first-half lead into the dressing-room, Brentford equalised out of the blue. In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, Ramsdale dallied over a clearance in his six-yard box and allowed Yoane Wissa to close down and block it into the goal. It was the third consecutive match in which the Congolese has scored. 

Arsenal started the second half strongly but almost went behind to what would have been a goal-of-the-season contender in the 55th minute. 

Ramsdale was almost caught out again when Ivan Toney struck a brilliant half-volley from over 40 yards, but the Arsenal goalkeeper managed to scramble back and at full-stretch tip the ball wide.

Gabriel went close at the other end with a powerful header from Bukayo Saka’s corner, but Vitaly Janelt half-stopped the effort before Flekken claimed the loose ball.

It was not all Arsenal as Ramsdale produced a superb save in the 71st minute, tipping over Nathan Collins’ header from close range at full stretch.

Three minutes later Rice almost scored his second, but his curling effort from distance cannoned off the corner of the goalframe.

Arsenal finally retook the lead in the 86th minute when White crossed from the right to Havertz, who headed past Flekken for his eighth league goal of the season, scoring for the fourth consecutive match.

It means Brentford are now winless in five league matches, leaving them 15th on 26 points, five above the relegation zone.

Arsenal report | Brentford report

Match officials

Referee: Rob Jones. Assistants: James Mainwaring, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Darren England. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.