Arsenal vs Kairat LIVE: Champions League result, latest updates and fan reaction | OneFootball

Gunners could go entire league phase without dropping a point

Arsenal defeated Kairat 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium to round off a perfect record in the Champions League group stage. Mikel Arteta’s have won all eight of their games on the continent this term, and progress automatically into the knockout stages as table-toppers. Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring inside two minutes with an emphatic finish in north London, but the hosts were pegged back just minutes later.

Riccardo Calafiori was adjudged to have felled winger Jorginho, who stepped up to slot home a penalty and score an unlikely equaliser for the Kazakh visitors. Kai Havertz, starting a first game in just under a year, marked his return to the side with a well-taken goal, drilled home into the far corner after good work in the channel from Gyokeres, who would go on to waste a hatful of chances himself.

Gabriel Martinelli tapped home a third as Havertz turned provider, but the Gunners gave away a cheap consolation late on as a defensive mix-up allowed Ricardinho to nod home past Kepa Arrizabalaga. It won’t matter one bit, though, with the north London club through to the last 16, avoiding a play-off round.