Arsenal 3-2 Kairat: Goals from Viktor Gokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli took Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the Champions League and already ensured a top-two finish.
Arsenal finish first (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Arsenal finished their league campaign in style and have now identified their four potential opponents in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Gunners maintained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable 3-2 home victory over Kazakhstan’s Kairat, taking their eighth win from eight games.
Victor Goqueres broke the deadlock after just two minutes, scoring his 10th goal in an Arsenal shirt. However, it took just as long for Kairat to get a penalty.
Riccardo Calafioli gifted the visitors with a valuable spot-kick, which was deflected by Jorginho. But soon Mikel Arteta’s side were back in the lead, as Kai Havertz transformed from provider to scorer in his first start since August.
Gabriel Martinelli then scored Arsenal’s third goal of the night (and sixth in all competitions) just before half-time, continuing their good form in Europe. Kairat pulled one back with his final attack of the night, but Arteta and his team’s focus now turns to the last 16.
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The opponent for the next round has been decided. Along with second-placed Bayern Munich, Arsenal will face Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Olympiakos, who finished 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th respectively, in the Round of 16.
Which teams Arsenal and Bayern will face will be revealed next month after the winner of the play-off between these four teams is determined. The first leg of the last 16 will be held on Tuesday 10th March and Wednesday 11th March, with the second leg scheduled for Tuesday 17th March and Wednesday 18th March.
Like Bayern, Arsenal were already guaranteed a top-two finish heading into Wednesday’s final league match. Arteta reflected on his team’s comfortable position and favorable opponents by making a complete change to his starting XI from Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.
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Kai Havertz has been outstanding on his return to Arsenal (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Havertz suffered a serious knee injury on the opening day of the season, but made his long-awaited return to the first eleven. “We missed him very much,” Arteta told TNT Sport.
“He’s been out for a long time. It’s great to see him come back and get a start in this situation. I think that’s really important.”
The forward certainly played an important role, setting up Gokeres’ first goal with a brilliant assist. Havertz then showed that he had not lost his magic, calmly cutting into Kairat’s defense and creating a curling attack that beat Temirlan Anarbekov.
Havertz was involved again in the third. His square ball was almost converted by the outstretched Gokeres, who kicked the ball with his toe before Martinelli hit it at the back post.
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