Arsenal seal perfect Champions League league phase with win over Kairat
Arsenal complete perfect Champions League run with victory at Kairat
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign continues to gain momentum, not because of drama or desperation, but thanks to quiet authority. Victory over Kairat Almaty sealed a flawless championship run, eight wins from eight, and confirmed Mikel Arteta’s side as one of the competition’s premier standard-bearers.
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Little depended on the result in terms of qualification. Arsenal had already secured a top-two finish following last week’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan, securing home advantage in the second leg of their knockout tie. Yet the evening was still important, not least for Kai Havertz, whose return to the starting XI brought narrative meaning to what might otherwise have been a routine exercise.
Havertz’s return shapes early dominance
Arsenal needed just two minutes to strike. Havertz, making his first start in a competitive match for 357 days, slipped Viktor Gyokeres through on goal and the striker powered a low finish into the corner. It was the kind of goal that reflected Arsenal’s control, precise movement, crisp passing and a sense that the contest could be settled quickly.
This feeling was briefly disrupted. Kairat, bottom of the league stage with just one point, equalized three minutes later when Jorginho scored from the penalty spot after Riccardo Calafiori was adjudged to have pulled him back. It was unexpected and, for a moment, unsettling.
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Arsenal responded with calm rather than urgency. Possession was reaffirmed, the territory recovered. Havertz then restored the lead with a powerful left-footed finish, a goal that mattered less for the score than for what it represented. After a long absence following a knee injury, it was a visible reminder of what he offers in terms of fitness, timing, physical presence and ability to arrive in the right spaces.
Gyokeres and Martinelli add control
Gyokeres, who arrived in the summer for £64million, had the chance to extend Arsenal’s advantage but was unable to add to his tally. However, his involvement remains important. One such moment came when he tried to respond to a low cross from Havertz, helping the ball out instead for Gabriel Martinelli to latch onto from close range. It was a goal built on pressure and proximity, with Arsenal pressing their opponents until space presented itself.
Gabriel Jesus thought he had scored four points late on, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Kairat managed a late consolation when Ricardinho nodded, but it did little to alter the wider shape of the evening or Arsenal’s sense of control.
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Rotation offers insight into Arteta’s thinking
With first or second place already assured, Arteta made 11 changes. It wasn’t just about rest. It was about information. The return of Havertz alongside Gyokeres up front offered a glimpse of a possible future configuration.
Havertz has long been a trusted figure for Arteta. Since recovering from his knee injury, he has played just 59 minutes of first-team football. His use here, and recently on the bench against Portsmouth, suggests a growing desire to gradually reintroduce him, and perhaps redefine how he fits into Arsenal’s attacking structure.
Gyokeres, for his part, has not yet completely settled his score since his departure from Sporting. There may be matches where Havertz leads the line, especially in higher stakes matches. Yet this experience hinted at Arteta’s flexibility and willingness to build a team capable of changing shape without losing rhythm.
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Arsenal finished top of the league stage and became the second English team to win at least eight consecutive Champions League matches, after Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. It’s a stat that emphasizes consistency over spectacle, serving as a reminder that Arsenal’s European progress is built on reliability, rotation and an increasing depth of options.