Thomas Frank insisted Kai Havertz should have been sent-off, before the Arsenal forward scored his side’s late winner against Brentford.
The Gunners were given a real scare in north London, despite taking the lead through Declan Rice’s header to seemingly leave them on course for an eighth straight win.
But Aaron Ramsdale was caught on the ball deep in first-half added-time, as Yoane Wissa charged down his clearance for a freak equaliser, and the Bees then kept Arsenal at bay for much of the second period.
Havertz, for the second time this season, stepped up to down Brentford in the closing stages, heading home in the 86th-minute to send Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
The Brentford camp were left frustrated though, particularly as it was Havertz who scored the winner.
The German, already on a yellow card, went down in the area during the second-half and appealed for a penalty, with replays suggesting there was minimal contact.
Brentford’s players urged referee Rob Jones to show Havertz a second yellow, but the Arsenal man escaped and remained on the pitch to have the final say.
“I know I don’t ever do that, but I actually don't think Havertz should be on the pitch when he scored the goal,” Frank told Sky Sports.
“For me, it was a clear dive for the penalty should. If you see that slowly back, it’s clear.
“Maybe, maybe it’s difficult for Rob, the ref. But the linesman Nick [Hopton] should have seen it. In my opinion, clear.”
The defeat leaves Brentford 15th in the table and only five points clear of Luton in the relegation zone. The Hatters have a game in hand over Brentford.
Frank was encouraged by the performance from his side though, one that followed an impressive display to earn a point against Chelsea last week.
“We limited them to a very, very minimum,” Frank said.
“Basically almost a defensive masterclass I would say. So much effort, so much mentality.
“Arguably we were closer to [scoring], Nathan Collins’ header, before they scored on the 2-1. In that sense, of course it’s hard. The performance spot on.
“Even more impressive if you take into account Arsenal’s form, they’re playing at home. Our form, our injury situation and our captain coming off. So impressive.”
