Arsenal 3-2 Khairat: Viktor Gokeres scored but showed his limits in brutal fashion on a night when the Gunners squandered a number of chances against Kazakhstan.
Victor Gokeres’ waste in front of goal (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images)
Arsenal have won eight consecutive Champions League games thanks to the story of two strikers.
The Gunners finished top of the table with a 100 per cent record in the league. And they won easily against the no-hopers of Kazakhstan, with the returning Kai Havertz purring in his first start in 357 days and Victor Gokeres perhaps finding his level.
Havertz looked in a league of his own with his smooth control, passing and brilliant finishing, but his return could be a much-needed and timely boost to Arsenal’s title chances. The difference in quality between Havertz and the grumpy, underachieving Gökeres was stark, with the Swedish striker repeatedly missing chances even against second-rate opponents.
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It may seem disingenuous that Gokeres had a goal and an assist, but that was only because he put a shot into the path of Gabriel Martinelli from three yards out. But Gokeres, who Arsenal signed for £64m in the summer, is simply not good enough for a side aiming to win the title and win the Champions League.
Gökeres even missed one sitter from three yards out, and the ball went wide from the throw-in. Incredibly, he has reached 10 goals, but even for just 45 minutes, Havertz showed Arsenal fans what they were missing.
Havertz went crazy at half-time, but Arsenal fans will no doubt be hoping that is an indication he will be saved for Saturday’s trip to Leeds, which feels like a hugely important game of the season.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United, which underlines how strong they are deep down and just how bad Khairat is.
Kai Havertz makes a triumphant return to Arsenal (Image: David Price/Getty Images)
Arsenal made them work. Havertz played a great through ball to Gökeres, who in all fairness had most of the control of the ball and sent life home from 20 yards within two minutes.
However, Kairat equalized seven minutes later. Riccardo Calafioli, back in form, brought back Kairat’s Portuguese striker Jorginho. Swiss referee Urs Schneider awarded the penalty after a VAR check, with Jorginho making the official decision.
Havertz, who had been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries, scored the goal. He cut into the box, showed great control and fired a sweet left-footed shot into the top corner.
Gökeres missed two clear chances before meeting Havertz’s low cross, but it still took Martinelli time to push the ball over the line in the 36th minute. The remainder of the match was a battle between the ages as he replaced 17-year-old Brando Bailey-Joseph, who was making his senior debut.
Arsenal wasted more chances before Kairat substitute Ricardinho sealed the win in stoppage time.
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