Overview
- Kai Havertz made his first start in 357 days and produced a goal and two creations in a 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty before a planned half-time withdrawal.
- Arsenal finished the Champions League league phase with eight wins from eight to top the table, with a last-16 tie in March against Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos or Borussia Dortmund.
- Mikel Arteta praised Havertz’s quality and said he can help take the team to “another level,” stressing he will be important in the second half of the season.
- Viktor Gyokeres scored the second-minute opener but missed multiple clear chances, sustaining scrutiny over Arsenal’s center-forward efficiency despite his goal.
- The club turns to a Premier League trip to Leeds after a three-match winless run trimmed their lead to four points, with Arteta indicating Havertz will push to start and two academy players debuting in midweek.