Arsenal 3–2 Kairat Almaty: Havertz return helps Arsenal maintain 100% record | OneFootball

Arsenal sealed top spot in the Champions League group phase after a 3–2 victory over Kairat Almaty at the Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli secured all three points for the Gunners. Kairat responded through Jorginho and Ricardinho, but their comeback fell short against a dominant home side.

As it happened

An explosive start from the home side saw the returning Kai Havertz slide a perfectly weighted pass through to Gyökeres, who ran onto it and fired past the outstretched Temirlan Anarbekov to give Arsenal the lead.

Kairat responded immediately through Jorginho, who converted from the penalty spot after a lengthy VAR check confirmed the winger had been pulled back by Riccardo Calafiori. The midfielder calmly slotted his effort past Kepa to bring the visitors level.

Havertz restored the Gunners’ advantage soon after, curling his effort beyond Anarbekov in a special moment for the returning midfielder.

Gabriel Martinelli extended Arsenal’s lead just before half-time. A brilliant ball across the box found Gyökeres, whose touch set up the winger to turn the ball home from close range.

A second half filled with missed chances saw Mikel Arteta’s side prove wasteful in front of goal, an issue that has plagued them in recent weeks.

However, with the final kick of the game, Ricardinho pulled one back for Kairat. The Brazilian arrived at the back post to meet a looping cross over Hincapié, nodding into an empty net.

That proved to be the final action of the contest, as Arsenal secured all three points and maintained a 100% record in the Champions League.

Attention now turns to a crucial trip to Elland Road, where the Gunners face Leeds United in a huge test for the North London side.