The home crowd went into a frenzy as Kai Havertz headed home a superb cross from Ben White in the 86th minute.
5Declan Rice opened the scoring for the Gunners with a headerCredit: AP
5Kai Havertz was the match winner with a dramatic late headerCredit: AP
5Aaron Ramsdale’s howler almost proved costly for the GunnersCredit: Getty
Declan Rice gave the Gunners a 19-minute lead, and they appeared to be headed for an easy victory.
But the visitors were able to re-enter thanks to an Aaron Ramsdale gaffe as he slammed the ball against Yoane Wissa into his own net.
Nevertheless, the former Chelsea player’s late goal proved they weren’t going to be defeated as they took all three points.
This is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies ranked the players for Arsenal.
AARON RAMSDALE – 5/10
The initial attempt was erroneous. Leandro Trossard was set free with a great pass from a corner; he was unfortunate not to receive an assist. I nearly pulled it off again, but I took too long this time.
Then came the howler. took a long time for him to release the ball from his feet within the six-yard box, which gave Yoane Wissa the opportunity to charge him into his own goal.
Even though he appeared upset after the interval, he made two outstanding saves: one to tip over Nathan Collins’ header and another to stop an Ivan Toney screaming attempt from forty yards out.
BEN WHITE – 9
His influence at the top end of the pitch is there for all to see. After nicking a goal in the Monday night demolition of Sheffield United, his first half cross teed up Declan Rice.
And then, in the 86th minute, a carbon copy delivery handed Havertz the winner. That is now four assists in the Prem this campaign.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Let the ball through his legs for Toney in the box but luckily the offside flag saved his blushes. Got his own back with a thumping bodycheck on the Englishman.
GABRIEL – 7
Booked inside opening 10 minutes for a needless shirt pull on Wissa. There was nothing wrong with his pass back to Ramsdale that ended up in the net.
JAKUB KIWIOR – 7
Went close early on with a flicked header from a corner and put in another great defensive shift, as well as a few decent deliveries in attack.
Solidifying himself as Arsenal’s first choice left-back as it stands.
JORGINHO – 7
Reliable and steady once again. A much-loved presence in this starting XI for several weeks now, and showed off his ability to dink balls over the top to great effect.
DECLAN RICE – 8
This man just gets better and better with every passing game, and now he is adding goals to his growing repertoire, glancing a great header into the bottom corner from White’s cross.
It is now three goals in his last five Prem appearances, and could have been four if not for the top of the crossbar.
5Ben White provided assists for both Rice and Havertz’s goalsCredit: AFP
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 8
At his influential best with direct passes through eye-of-the-needle gaps. Without the ball, he was pressing the living daylights out of Brentford’s back three.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Set away by Ramsdale from a Brentford corner but didn’t have the pace to make it to the box. Otherwise, wasteful with ball at feet in attacking positions.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Doubled up on by Brentford’s left-sided duo, he found it hard at times to stand out, but is more than happy these days to take the heat so long as his teammates deliver.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brentford did well to crowd him out in the box when he created himself some half chances resulting in a few tame efforts straight at Mark Flekken.
Put through by Jorginho with a gorgeous dink, the German chipped wide, although he was relieved to see the offside flag raised.
His influence faded as the game went on, but Arteta kept the faith and was rewarded with a magnificent header to snatch the win.
5Havertz celebrates his bullet header to put Arsenal 2-1 upCredit: Getty
SUBS
GABRIEL JESUS (JORGINHO, 70) – 6
A few neat touches and offered something different with his pace. Arteta will be pleased to have him to call on with the season coming to an end.