Arsenal: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Havertz, Norgaard, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Setford, Porter, Gabriel, Salmon, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Ibrahim, Odegaard, Bailey-Joseph, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Arsenal made it eight wins from eight in the Champions League group phase after beating Kairat Almaty 3-2 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta made 11 changes to the side that lost against Manchester United on Sunday, with Ben White, Christian Norgaard, Eberechi Eze and Gyokeres all coming back into the team.
Riccardo Calafiori was also a welcome returnee to the teamsheet after injury, alongside Havertz making his first start of the season.
FIRST HALF
It took just two minutes for Arsenal to take the lead and it came through Viktor Gyokeres with a classic Gyokeres goal – running beyond the last line of defence after being found by Havertz – before whacking a shot past the goalkeeper. 1-0.
This had the makings of a long night for Kairat who sat bottom of the group phase going into the game, but they were gifted a route back into the game directly from kick-off when Calafiori got caught of position and pulled down Jorginho who was running through on goal.
After VAR review, the penalty was awarded and Jorginho sent Kepa the wrong way to equalise within five minutes – sending a lively away end into party mode. 1-1.
But it didn’t take Arsenal long to retake the lead when White found Havertz in behind, who raced onto the ball, cut inside and curled a fierce effort into the far corner (after Gyokeres bodied the defender with an NFL style barge). 2-1.
Gyokeres had another great chance to add to his tally after silky combination play between Martinelli and Lewis-Skelly cut Kairat wide open, but the big striker somehow missed from three yards out and his effort ended up going out for a throw in.
Then it was Noni Madueke’s turn to try his luck after some great footwork in the box took him away from three defenders, but his right-footed effort was well blocked with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Arteta’s men did eventually get their third but it came in slightly confusing circumstances when some beautiful one-touch play between Norgaard and Havertz saw the German cross for Gyokeres in the middle, before his goalbound poke was eventually finished by Martinelli.
The linesman initially gave offside with all three players looking offside at various points in the build up, but after a short VAR check the goal was given to the surprise of everybody in red shirts. 3-1.
There was another chance for Gyokeres minutes later when he was played through by White, but his dink over the goalkeeper was cleared off the line although the referee did blow for a foul in the build-up.
Taking the obvious caveats about Kairat into account, this half was another example of how refreshing European football has been for this group in a season full of domestic tension.
SECOND HALF
Heading into the second half, Arteta made two changes at the break with Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard replacing Calafiori and Havertz, who will have been happy with 45 (mostly) stress-free minutes under their belts.
The tempo of the game had noticeably slowed and despite a headed effort from Odegaard and another volley from Madueke which were both comfortably saved, Arsenal weren’t as free-flowing or penetrative as they were in the first half.
There were other nearly moments for Martinelli and Eze but neither could get off accurate shots despite finding themselves in good positions.
With 15 minutes to play, Gabriel Jesus replaced Gyokeres who will have been frustrated having only scored once, and 17-year-old winger Brando Bailey-Joseph replaced Martinelli for his Gunners debut.
Having barely touched the ball since coming on, Jesus had a clear sight of goal after being played through by Norgaard but curled his effort wide going for the Henry-esque far post finish. Replays showed he probably would’ve been offside anyway.
Minutes later he did have the ball in the net after being played through by Norgaard (again) but replays showed he ran a split second too early, and his goal was ruled out despite finishing nicely beyond the goalkeeper.
There was time for another Hale End debut with Ife Ibrahim replacing Norgaard, but Kairat would find themselves a sweet consolation – and something else for their fans to cheer about – after Ricardinho scored a header to make it 3-2 with the last kick of the game.
This was a comfortable night for the Gunners who barely broke sweat but the intensity of their second half wasn’t ideal and neither was their standard of finishing. Either way, there can be few complaints when a tough Champions League group stage ends with eight wins from eight.