Viktor Gyokeres had a bizarre night for Arsenal against Kairat Almaty, scoring but missing several big chances(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Arsenal comfortably made history in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first side ever to win all eight league phase matches. A late Kairat goal in the final seconds stopped the side from becoming the first side ever in the Champions League to win eight games by two clear goals.
The Gunners took the lead through Viktor Gyokeres after just a couple of minutes, but the lead was eradicated after Riccardo Calafiori brought down Jorginho (not that one) in the box, the same player sending Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way.
Kai Havertz, having played in the Swede for the opener, found the net himself to restore the lead, curling a beautiful shot past the keeper. The third was initially ruled out for offside when Havertz slipped in Gyokeres whose shot clipped into the path of Gabriel Martinelli who smashed in.
Kairat will be pleased to have kept the score down in the second half, shutting the Gunners out entirely and even scoring themselves. Top spot secured and the last-16 awaits.
Here is how **fooball.london** rated the performances of the Arsenal players involved:
**Kepa Arrizabalaga –** Sent the wrong way at the penalty, diving to his right, the ball sent to his left. **6**
**Ben White –** Excellent pass in behind to set up Kai Havertz for the second Arsenal goal of the evening. Great to see the full-back wearing the armband and performed well on the right. **8**
**Cristhian Mosquera –** Got a huge applause from his manager after storming into a challenge in the opponent’s half to win the ball. Did give the ball away blindly in the middle of the park to spark the opposite reaction. **7**
**Riccardo Calafiori –** Back into the team but immediately gave away a cheap penalty, pulling the shirt of Jorginho in the box. Was taken off at half-time, some good minutes but a nightmare moment to return to. **5**
**Myles Lewis-Skelly –** Beautiful piece of combination play to set up the chance for Gyokeres which somehow ended up as a throw-in. Good performance from the left-back. **7**
**Christian Norgaard –** Such a solid and consistent player who based on this performance is worthy of more minutes. Reliably keeping the Arsenal play moving throughout and found a great pass into Jesus late on. **7**
**Kai Havertz –** His first start in 357 days and made an immediate impact with the perfect through ball for Gyokeres. Then he had his goal, cutting inside off the right, before firing in past Anarbekov. Created the pass for Martinelli’s goal, too, and was taken off at the break. Very positive. **9**
**Eberechi Eze –** In a frenetic first half, the attacking midfielder somehow remained rather quiet. Was more involved again in the second half, showcasing his technique but it was a stroll for the midfielder. **6**
**Noni Madueke –** Lots of tricks and skills, but again struggled with finding the right output. He was dangerous and got in behind several times, but the execution of the final ball seemed to evade him. **7**
**Viktor Gyokeres –** Took the opening goal really well after it looked like he might have lost control of the ball, smashing in from the edge of the box. However, what followed was the worst miss I have ever seen in the flesh, a yard out, on a plate, and the effort went for a throw-in. One of the toughest performances ever to rate considering the goal and some awful moments. **7**
**Gabriel Martinelli –** Smashed in from close range and thanked VAR for the reversal of an on-field offside decision. Snatched at some other chances but worked hard and overall had a good performance. **8**
**Piero Hincapie –** Was not tested much at all and was mainly utilised as a passing metronome as the Gunners recycled the ball in build-up. **6**
**Martin Odegaard –** Two headed opportunities came and went, which were headed at the keeper, not his forte… **6**
**Gabriel Jesus –** Replaced Viktor Gyokeres and saw a good chance go wide and then a goal ruled out, both however he timed his run too soon and was flagged. **6**
**Brando Bailey-Joseph –** Making his competitive debut, the 17-year-old came on to replace Gabriel Martinelli. Ball was fired into him in the box but his first touch evaded him and it rolled into the keeper’s hands, unlucky. **n/a**
**Ife Ibrahim -** Another youngster, who recently signed professional terms, came on late to make his debut. **n/a**