Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres were both on target as Arsenal completed a flawless Champions League league phase with a 3-2 victory over bottom club Kairat Almaty.
Needing just a point against the Kazakhstani side to secure a top spot, Mikel Arteta rang the changes, making 11 alterations to his starting XI. The match also marked Havertz’s first competitive start for Arsenal in 358 days.
Having already sealed a top-two finish with last week’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan, Arsenal were guaranteed home advantage in the second legs of the knockout rounds and wasted little time asserting their authority.
The Gunners took the lead after just two minutes when Havertz slipped a pass through to Gyokeres, who drove a low shot past the goalkeeper.
Bottom-placed Kairat responded unexpectedly three minutes later, equalising from the penalty spot after Riccardo Calafiori was judged to have fouled Jorginho, who converted calmly.
Arsenal quickly regained control and restored their lead through Havertz, the German firing a powerful left-footed finish to cap an impressive return to the starting line-up.
The victory ensures Arsenal finished top of the league phase and make them just the second English club to win eight or more consecutive Champions League matches, after Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who recorded a 10-game streak between May 2023 and March 2024.
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