Arsenal became the first team to win all eight matches in the Champions League league phase as they secured top spot with a 3–2 victory over Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.
Already assured of a place in the last 16, Mikel Arteta’s side also guaranteed home advantage in the second leg of the knockout stages, should they progress further in the competition.
Tournament debutants Kairat finished bottom of the expanded 36-team table with just one point from eight matches and were never expected to trouble the Premier League leaders.
With qualification wrapped up, Arteta made 11 changes to the team that suffered their first home defeat of the season against Manchester United on Sunday. Among the changes was the return of Kai Havertz, whose goalscoring comeback could prove vital as Arsenal chase silverware across four competitions.
The German made his first start in nearly a year following an injury-plagued spell and wasted little time making an impact. After just two minutes, Havertz split the defence with a precise pass for Viktor Gyökeres to fire in his 10th goal of the season.
Kairat briefly threatened an upset when Jorginho levelled from the penalty spot, but Havertz swiftly restored Arsenal’s lead with a fine strike from the edge of the area, his first goal of the campaign.
The former Chelsea forward, who scored the winner in the 2021 Champions League final, was also instrumental in Arsenal’s third goal as his cross was converted by Gabriel Martinelli.
Ricardinho pulled one back deep into stoppage time to give Kairat a late consolation, ending their maiden Champions League campaign on a positive note despite a chastening evening.
AFP
