Arsenal have had a multitude of pressurised games to see in 2026, so their last league phase game of the Champions League was a welcome change of pace from normal.
After the reality check that Manchester United handed to them last Sunday, Kazakh champions Kairat Almaty headed to the Emirates Stadium. Bottom of the Champions League and with just five goals in the campaign before Wednesday, the odds were not in their favour.
Gyokeres-Havertz-Martinelli-Arsenal
The odds became even slimmer when Viktor Gyokeres rolled home an opener within two minutes on the clock, but to their credit, Kairat fought back, scoring twice as Arsenal eventually prevailed 3-2.
How Arsenal's attack fared against Kairat
While the Gunners scored three times, all of which were from open play, this felt like another night where Mikel Arteta’s frontline should have done better.
After the damaging 3-2 loss at the hands of United just a few days ago, a game in which Arsenal had to rely on an own goal and another set-piece, this clash against Kairat represented an opportunity for some players to find form.
It was fantastic to see Kai Havertz on the scoresheet for the first time in over a year and his performance earned plenty of plaudits.
Havertz played the opening 45 minutes of the game in the Martin Odegaard role and was simply phenomenal, playing in Gyokeres for the opener with a precise pass in behind.
Havertz found the net himself and then acted as the supply line again for the third goal, sliding the ball across the box where Martinelli was waiting at the back post to fire home his sixth Champions League goal in seven matches this season.
That said, despite those three goals, it should have been far more comfortable for the Gunners, who wasted several opportunities and then, at times, struggled to break down Kairat in the second period. The Kazakh side played too high a line in the first half but made things more difficult after the break by playing deeper.
On paper, the numbers look good. Arsenal generated a ridiculous 25 shots, but only 11 of those were actually on target. It was a wasteful night and against better opposition, they may well have been punished.
Gyokeres missed a chance from nearly under the bar when Myles Lewis-Skelly flashed a cross across the goal mouth, while Noni Madueke blazed a late effort hopelessly high and wide of the goal.
Gyokeres-Havertz-Kairat
As far as chance creation was concerned, it was a better night from open play but much needs to be done when it comes to what Arsenal do with the ball inside the penalty area.
For that, a focus on that man Madueke, is in order.
Madueke's performance in numbers vs Kairat
Cast your mind back to the summer and the outcry that occurred as Arsenal were in the middle of completing a deal for Madueke were remarkable.
Supporters didn’t want him and several social media protests took place. Yet, as Bukayo Saka picked up an early-season injury, Madueke was handed regular minutes during the opening exchanges of the campaign.
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In all fairness, the former Chelsea man impressed. He was a livewire with the ball at his feet, skipping beyond defenders and creating chances.
While he has found the net against Bayern Munich this season and scored a cracking long-range effort against Club Brugge, the winger’s end product undoubtedly has to be called into question.
He’s a player who gets you on the edge of your seat. He’s a maverick, he’s unpredictable, but once he gets inside the box you end up screaming at him for the decisions he makes.
You can tell there’s a player simply waiting to explode under Arteta here but if he is to play second fiddle to Saka, he needs to start producing better numbers.
In the Premier League, Madueke now hasn’t found the net since 25th January 2025 when he scored for Chelsea against Manchester City. His performance against Kairat demonstrated why.
Madueke vs Kairat
Minutes played
Accurate passes
Touches
Shots
Shots on target
Key passes
Accurate crosses
Successful dribbles
Possession lost
Ground duels won
Aerial duels won
Stats via Sofascore.
The England international is perhaps the most direct player in the squad, a comment that is backed up by the fact that he attempted a whopping 11 dribbles on Wednesday, seven of which were completed.
Yet, the problem remains that what he then did with possession was not good enough. He gave away the ball 24 times, was accurate with just one cross and only completed 74% of his passes.
Furthermore, Madueke did not create a goalscoring opportunity and failed to score from five shots. Don’t get us wrong, the summer buy is a really exciting player, he captivates you with a lot of things he does.
madueke
The trouble is, football is a results-based business and for all of his hard work, the winger is failing to deliver goals and assists.
If Arsenal are going to win major honours this season they will need the 23-year-old to start chipping in like Martinelli has. The Brazilian has scored ten goals from just 14 starts this term. That’s the blueprint for Arsenal’s wingers and indeed the rest of their attack.
For now, however, it’s likely both wingers will be dropped for the clash away at Leeds United this weekend. Saka and Leandro Trossard must come back into the starting lineup.
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