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.
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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.