A keenly contested game at the GTech Community Stadium ended with Arsenal grinding out a slim 1-0 win over Brentford.
The Gunners' hope of returning from the international break with a victory was achieved, as a late goal from Kai Havertz pierced the hearts of supporters of the Bees.
Aaron Ramsdale, who deputized in goal in place of David Raya, due to the Spaniard's ties with the Bees almost caused a scare for Arsenal.
Ramsdale made an error in the 14th minute giving the ball away inside the area of Arsenal, with Bryan Mbuemo curling an effort towards the far post.
Thankfully for the Gunners, Declan Rice was able to clear the ball away from the goal line, and Yoane Wissa's following attempt went wide.
In the 30th minute, Mikel Arteta's side had the opportunity to go in front, with Vitaly Janelt conceding a corner close to the byline.
Bukayo Saka's cross into the box was connected to poorly by Gabriel Meghalese, the ball deflected off the defender's back and into the side-netting.
3 minutes before the expiration of the game, Arsenal went into the lead, with Leandro Trossard putting the ball into the back of the net.
However, the goal was disallowed as the Belgian was deemed to be offside when the initial header from Gabriel Jesus that was saved by Mark Flekken came in.
In the 1st minute of additional time in the first 45, Kristoffer Ajer became the first player to get his name taken down into the referee's book.
Both teams went into the break level, with Arsenal needing much to do in the second half of hostilities.
11 minutes into the second half of action, Gabriel Martinelli was also handed a yellow card for a foul on Frank Onyeka.
In the 66th minute, Mikel Arteta introduced Edward Nketiah, replacing Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus.
Thomas Frank also brought on Neal Maupay and Shandon Baptiste for Yoane Wissa and Yegor Yarmolyuk respectively in the 72nd minute.
Brentford could have shockingly taken the lead in the 77th minute, but Oleksandr Zinchenko saved the blushes of his side, following a fantastic attempt on goal by substitute Neal Maupay.
Kai Havertz, who would go on to be a hero late on for the Gunners, came on in the 79th minute for Gabriel Martinelli.
10 minutes later, Havertz nodded home a delightful cross sent in by Bukayo Saka, piercing the hearts of Brentford supporters.
In the 90th minute, Brentford introduced Mathias Jorgensen for Saman Ghoddos, and Keane Lewis-Potter for Frank Onyeka.
Mikel Arteta also made two late substitutions, bringing on Ben White for Bukayo Saka and Jorginho for Martin Odegaard.
Following the victory away to Thomas Frank's Brentford, Arsenal leaped to 1st on the log, with 30 points from 13 matches, while the Bees sit 11th on the table, with 16 points from 13 matches.
The Gunners' hope of returning from the international break with a victory was achieved, as a late goal from Kai Havertz pierced the hearts of supporters of the Bees.
Aaron Ramsdale, who deputized in goal in place of David Raya, due to the Spaniard's ties with the Bees almost caused a scare for Arsenal.
Ramsdale made an error in the 14th minute giving the ball away inside the area of Arsenal, with Bryan Mbuemo curling an effort towards the far post.
Thankfully for the Gunners, Declan Rice was able to clear the ball away from the goal line, and Yoane Wissa's following attempt went wide.
In the 30th minute, Mikel Arteta's side had the opportunity to go in front, with Vitaly Janelt conceding a corner close to the byline.
Bukayo Saka's cross into the box was connected to poorly by Gabriel Meghalese, the ball deflected off the defender's back and into the side-netting.
3 minutes before the expiration of the game, Arsenal went into the lead, with Leandro Trossard putting the ball into the back of the net.
However, the goal was disallowed as the Belgian was deemed to be offside when the initial header from Gabriel Jesus that was saved by Mark Flekken came in.
In the 1st minute of additional time in the first 45, Kristoffer Ajer became the first player to get his name taken down into the referee's book.
Both teams went into the break level, with Arsenal needing much to do in the second half of hostilities.
11 minutes into the second half of action, Gabriel Martinelli was also handed a yellow card for a foul on Frank Onyeka.
In the 66th minute, Mikel Arteta introduced Edward Nketiah, replacing Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus.
Thomas Frank also brought on Neal Maupay and Shandon Baptiste for Yoane Wissa and Yegor Yarmolyuk respectively in the 72nd minute.
Brentford could have shockingly taken the lead in the 77th minute, but Oleksandr Zinchenko saved the blushes of his side, following a fantastic attempt on goal by substitute Neal Maupay.
Kai Havertz, who would go on to be a hero late on for the Gunners, came on in the 79th minute for Gabriel Martinelli.
10 minutes later, Havertz nodded home a delightful cross sent in by Bukayo Saka, piercing the hearts of Brentford supporters.
In the 90th minute, Brentford introduced Mathias Jorgensen for Saman Ghoddos, and Keane Lewis-Potter for Frank Onyeka.
Mikel Arteta also made two late substitutions, bringing on Ben White for Bukayo Saka and Jorginho for Martin Odegaard.
Following the victory away to Thomas Frank's Brentford, Arsenal leaped to 1st on the log, with 30 points from 13 matches, while the Bees sit 11th on the table, with 16 points from 13 matches.