ARSENAL 3-2 KAIRAT: Goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli ensured that Mikel Arteta's men finished top of the Champions League table, having already guaranteed a top-two finish
Arsenal have learned their four potential opponents in the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing the league phase in style. The Gunners kept up their 100 per cent record with a comfortable 3-2 win at home to Kazakhstani side Kairat, ensuring that they made it eight wins from eight games.
Viktor Gyokeres only took two minutes to break the deadlock, scoring his 10th goal in an Arsenal shirt. But it took just the same amount of time for Kairat to win a penalty.
Riccardo Calafiori gifted the visitors a precious spot-kick which was dispatched by Jorginho. Soon enough, though, Mikel Arteta's men got themselves back in front, as Kai Havertz went from provider to scorer on his first start since August.
Gabriel Martinelli then continued his good form in Europe by netting Arsenal's third of the night - his sixth of the competition - before half-time. Kairat pulled one back with the last attack of the night but now Arteta and Co.'s focus turns to the last 16.
Their potential opponents in the next round have been decided. Arsenal - along with second-placed Bayern Munich - will play one of Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos in the round of 16, as they finished 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th respectively.
Which specific teams Arsenal and Bayern will play are set to become clear next month after winners of the play-off ties between those four teams take place. The first legs of the last 16 will take place on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 while the second legs are scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18.
Like Bayern, Arsenal had already guaranteed a top-two finish going into Wednesday's final round of games in the league phase. Arteta reflected his side's comfortable position - and favourable opponent - by changing is entire starting line-up from Sunday's 3-2 loss against Manchester United.
Will Arsenal win the Champions League? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Havertz made his long-awaited return to the first XI, having picked up a serious knee injury on the opening day of the season. "We have been missing him big time," Arteta told TNT Sports.
"He has been out for a long, long time. It is great to see him back and having a start in this context, I think it's really important."
Indeed the forward was important, setting up Gyokeres' opener with a superbly weighted assist. Havertz then showed that he hasn't lost his magic, coolly cutting inside the Kairat defence and producing a curling strike which beat Temirlan Anarbekov.
For the third, Havertz was involved again. His square ball was almost converted by the outstretched Gyokeres, who got a toe on it before Martinelli made sure at the back post.
wodacitz
0
Rubbish club arsenal a club that can not defend when they are winning imagine
ClemJay
0
Arsenal has a very impressive record in the UCL this season and I hope it continues to the final
Gunnerneko
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
🤣🤣 Your funny NOT. beat Arsenal first then talk
Reebklnopu
1
arsenal will win champions🏆🏆🏆 this season
Gunnerneko
1
By beating small club like alkhairat 3-2?? Hmmmm...arsenal is a joke.
What about the other 7 games? what was the scores?
hooabmorty
0
That's why It is called champion league , there are champions from different countries
Zotacknops
1
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
you're clueless your team Chelsea find it difficult to beat the bottom team in the champions league table (PAFOS)when they visited Stanford bridge
Maplmoprsz
0
By beating small club like alkhairat 3-2?? Hmmmm...arsenal is a joke.
Another Mumu who just look tv instead of football
Maplmoprsz
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
U are really a dummie… I wonder how people like you watch football
kameerl
0
Arsenal can Top the group stage and ended up winning nothing.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
xstepho
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
This fool 🤣🤣🤣🤣 bench players getting a win is that bad to you 😆
AFerHKJc1725
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
Because of your bet you are saying that jor
AFerHKJc1725
0
we are toping the table what's ur problem
His bet got spoiled lol
AFerHKJc1725
0
AFC should focus more on winning the EPL for now, champions league is a big ask for now. The team is yet to gel.
What is big about ucl
Wopacmnryz
2
Arsenal's problem is Odegaard .
footballminds
0
hope they wont be knocked out in the round 16
Loverzmusilaz
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
we are toping the table what's ur problem
whycumonme
0
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
😅🤣
nonciorsyz
0
By beating small club like alkhairat 3-2?? Hmmmm...arsenal is a joke.
Emmie4all
0
AFC should focus more on winning the EPL for now, champions league is a big ask for now. The team is yet to gel.
Padoma1010
2
This champions league is coming to the Emirates
BlessingsCo-operator
1
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
first let's us meet on Tuesday at the Emirates I want to see something
Pecackrsuy
1
okay
vambekrsuz
2
with what they did tonight, I'm very sure arsenal will be sent packing in the round of 16, what a useless team. I can't believe a lowly rated team scored 2 solid goals against the so called best team in Europe, arsenal is just an average team.
Vezonic22
1
This season is Arsenal's season. Keep going Gunners!!