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Mikel Arteta defended Aaron Ramsdale after the Arsenal goalkeeper\u2019s error-strewn display in the 1-0 win at Brentford.<\/p>\n
Not even Kai Havertz\u2019s late winner, which sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season, could mask a horror show from Ramsdale.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old was back in the spotlight on his first league appearance since September 3 with David Raya, now seemingly the club\u2019s undisputed number one, still on loan from Brentford and ineligible to face his parent club.<\/p>\n
But the England international made a horribly nervous start which almost gifted the Bees an early goal.<\/p>\n
Having exchanged passes with Gabriel from a goal kick, Ramsdale suddenly developed a bout of the yips, hesitating with his clearance and allowing Yoane Wissa to pinch the ball away.<\/p>\n
Luckily for Ramsdale, Declan Rice had already spotted the danger and got back to clear Bryan Mbeumo\u2019s shot off the line, before Wissa put the rebound wide.<\/p>\n
But Ramsdale hid his face under his shirt following another embarrassing error before half-time, somehow letting the ball slip out of his hand.<\/p>\n
Instead of throwing it up-field he ended up looking like a fast bowler delivering a bouncer which went straight to Bees midfielder Frank Onyeka. The danger was quickly cleared, but Ramsdale\u2019s confidence was ebbing further down the drain.<\/p>\n
However, Arteta insisted: \u201cThis is football, I\u2019m so happy with the team, we kept a clean sheet and we move on.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has big courage, big personality and that\u2019s why we love him. I enjoy to see the players encouraging each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Gunners won it when Bukayo Saka swung in a cross from the right and substitute Havertz ghosted in at the far post to plant his header past Mark Flekken and send them back to the top of the pile.<\/p>\n
It was only the German\u2019s second goal since his summer switch from Chelsea.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the beauty of it, when things come easy you don\u2019t value it,\u201d Arteta added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love him for a reason and the way he behaves in difficult moments. We could not be happier that a big player like him won the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy, when you have opportunity to go top and you come to Brentford, an uncomfortable place to come, the team showed so much willingness to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the Bees a record of 14 London derbies without defeat came to an end.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we did so many things right, it was a very even game in many ways,\u201d said boss Thomas Frank.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were two chances for each team. Unfortunately they took one and we didn\u2019t. The game should have been a draw. I\u2019m pleased with the performance and effort of the players.\u201d<\/p>\n