Arsenal made history on Wednesday by becoming the first team to win all eight of their UEFA Champions League group-stage matches, defeating Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side, already assured of a place in the last 16, also secured home advantage for the second leg of the knockout stages, keeping their European ambitions alive across four competitions this season.
Kairat, making their debut in the tournament, finished bottom of the 36-team table with just one point and struggled to match the Premier League leaders’ quality.
Arteta rotated his squad, making 11 changes from the team that lost 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday, giving returning midfielder Kai Havertz a chance to impress after nearly a year out with injury.
Havertz wasted no time, setting up Viktor Gyokeres to open the scoring in just the second minute. Kairat’s Jorginho equalised from the penalty spot, but Havertz quickly restored Arsenal’s lead with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area. Gabriel Martinelli added the third goal following a Havertz cross, sealing the victory for the Gunners.
Ricardinho pulled a late goal back for Kairat deep into stoppage time, giving the visitors a small consolation at the end of their first Champions League campaign.
Arsenal now turn their attention to the knockout stages, confident in a squad that has shown both depth and resilience on Europe’s biggest stage.
Arteta’s men remain one of the favourites to contend for the trophy after a flawless group performance.
