Premier League 2023-24, Arsenal pip Brentford 1-0: Key stats
Arsenal edged past Brentford in a 1-0 win on matchday 13 of the 2023-24 Premier League on Saturday. The Gunners left it late as substitute Kai Havertz slammed home an 89th-minute winner against the Bees. This is their ninth win of the season and it will allow them to reach the summit of the PL standings. Here we decode the stats.
Brentford registered these unwanted Premier League records
With this defeat, Brentford are winless in their last four Premier League game against the Gunners (D1, L3). Ever since losing 3-0 to Arsenal last season, Brentford went unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League London derbies (W8, D7) before losing again. Brentford have now lost two of their last 11 home league games (W5, D4).
Joint-most goals scored by substitutes in PL this season
As per Opta, with Havertz's 89th-minute winner, Arsenal have seen 10 goals netted by substitutes in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League side. Brighton have also seen 10 goals scored by their substitutes this season. Overall, Arsenal have scored 27 goals this season while conceding 10 goals. Till now they have the best defence in the PL this season.
Bukayo Saka's exceptional form in the Premier League
Bukayo Saka provided the assist from which Havert scored the winner. As per Squawka, he is the only player who has created 50-plus chances, completed 50-plus take-ons, scored 10-plus goals and provided 10-plus assists in the Premier League in 2023. In 147 PL appearances, Saka has provided 31 assists while scoring 35 times. This season, Saka has registered five assists in the PL.
Most wins for Arsenal in 200 PL games in charge
This was Mikel Arteta's 200th PL game for Arsenal and he has registered the most wins for the Gunners in this competition at this juncture. He has won 116 games, pushing Arsene Wenger to the second spot for winning 11 games after 200 league matches. George Graham is third with 106 wins with Arsenal while reaching the landmark.
A unique Premier League record was scripted
As per Opta, this is the second time in Premier League history that the top two teams have faced each other but neither have finished the day at the top of the league table. The last time this happened was back on November 28 2015 when Leicester City played a 1-1 draw against Manchester United but Manchester City ended the day at the top.
How did the match pan out?
Brentford could have had a dream start due to Aaron Ramsdale's mistake but Declan Rice was there to block Bryan Mbuemo's shot. Leandro Trossard found the net but it was later ruled out by VAR. In the second half, Oleksandr Zinchenko also made a goal-line clearance. Ultimately, super sub Havertz headed home the winner from Saka's delightful curling cross following an interception.
Arsenal are at the summit, Brentford drop to 11th spot
Arsenal are at the top of the PL standings with 30 points from 13 games, registering nine wins and three draws. They are now a point clear of second-placed Manchester City (29) and two points ahead of third-placed Liverpool (28). Meanwhile, Brentford suffered their fifth defeat of the season and have dropped to 11th position. They have now suffered two consecutive PL defeats.
