Arsenal 3-2 Kairat: Player ratings as Gunners secure top spot in Champions League

Arsenal brought the Champions League league phase to a close with a 3-2 win over Kairat at Emirates Stadium to finish top of the table with eight wins from eight games.

With qualification and a top two finish already secured, Mikel Arteta could afford to make a number of changes to his side for this game. Ben White captained the team while Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori made their first starts since returning from injury.

The Gunners made the perfect start as they went ahead after just two minutes. Havertz played Gyökeres through on goal and the Swede did well to set himself before firing in the opener.

Kairat flipped the script soon after though, levelling matters when Jorginho converted from the penalty spot after Calafiori was guilty of committing a foul.

It didn't take long for Arsenal to restore the lead however, going in front courtesy of Havertz's first strike since February 2025. White sent a neat ball down the right side that the German raced on to before cutting inside and beating Temirlan Anarbekov.

Arteta's side added a third after constant possession when Christian Nørgaard flicked the ball through to Havertz, whose cross into the box was touched by Gyökeres before Gabriel Martinelli fired in to make the advantage two at the break.

The second-half began how the first finished with the hosts dominating and they went close to adding a fourth through Noni Madueke. A corner was cleared to the winger on the edge of the box and he took a touch before unleashing a volley that was well saved.

Amid Arsenal's hunt for a fourth goal, a special moment came for one of their academy players as Brando Bailey-Joseph was brought off the bench to make his first team debut with just under 15 minutes to play.

The Gunners thought they had finally found the next goal when Nørgaard found Gabriel Jesus with a ball over the top. The Brazilian set himself before firing into the net, but he had strayed offside, meaning it was ruled out.

Kairat pulled a goal back through Ricardinho late on when he headed in from close range, but it proved to be a mere consolation right at the end of stoppage time.

That ended up being the final moment as Arsenal saw out the remaining minutes to seal a 3-2 win over Kairat and end the league phase top of the table with eight wins from eight games.

Here are the Gunners' player ratings from their dominant win.

Arsenal 3-2 Kairat player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6/10 - Went the wrong way for the penalty, but had a straightforward night otherwise.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Played a neat ball over the top for Havertz to race on to and grab the second. Didn't have much to do, meaning he had a relatively easy night.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 7/10 - Guilty of playing a loose pass in after the break, but it came to nothing. Solid other than that sole error.

Riccardo Calafiori (CB) - 6/10 - Conceded a penalty to allow Kairat an early equaliser and was booked as a result. Looked better after that but was withdrawn at the break.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 7.5/10 - Involved in a neat move that ended in him playing a teasing cross into the box. Made a number of good runs up the pitch and frequently played the inverted role, doing so well.

Midfielders

Kai Havertz (CM) - 8/10 - Made an instant impact when he assisted Gyökeres for the opener before restoring the lead with a good run and finish. Sent the ball across goal to help force the third. Taken off at half-time.

Christian Nørgaard (CM) - 7/10 - Played a neat flick on to Havertz for his side's third. Wasn't too involved otherwise, but looked solid at the base.

Eberechi Eze (CM) - 7/10 - Played some nice passes for his teammates and won back possession a few times. Will be frustrated not to have made more of the chance, but clear improvement on recent showings.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7.5/10 - Almost scored a brilliant goal after showing great skill to get around two defenders. Saw a spectacular volleyed effort well saved in the second-half. Source of trouble with his tricky feet all night.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 7.5/10 - Made a great start, scoring a fine finish after just two minutes. Showed good physicality to keep the defender away for Havertz to net the second. Got a touch on the ball before Martinelli scored the third. Did really well to put constant pressure on the Kairat defence, but will be disappointed not to have capitalised on more chances. Subbed off late on.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 7.5/10 - Grabbed his side's third from close range when he pounced on a loose shot. Caused a fair few problems down the left throughout the night. Brought off for the closing stages.

Substitutes

• Martin Ødegaard (on 46' for Havertz) - 6.5/10
• Piero Hincapié (on 46' for Calafiori) - 6.5/10
• Gabriel Jesus (on 77' for Gyökeres) - 6.5/10
• Brando Bailey-Joseph (on 77' for Martinelli) - 6/10
• Ife Ibrahim (on 89' for Nørgaard) - N/A

Player of the match: Kai Havertz