Arsenal clinched top spot in the Champions League group phase standings as they maintained their 100 per cent record following a 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty – here are six talking points from the Emirates Stadium
22:13, 28 Jan 2026Updated 22:45, 28 Jan 2026
Arsenal ran out 3-2 winners over Kairat Almaty
Arsenal made it eight wins from eight in the Champions League group phase – despite blowing the chance to write their name into the history books.
The irony was that this was actually a relatively poor and sloppy performance against FC Kairat Almaty, particularly in the second half, though goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were enough to wrap up top spot.
The fact the Kazakh minnows scored twice, once in each half, was a victory in itself for the visitors though given they eventually finished bottom of the standings.
football.london discusses six talking points or moments you may have missed from the Emirates Stadium.
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Hincapie’s fury as record slips
Arsenal were just second away from setting a new Champions League and European Cup record.
Had they not conceded at the death, they would have become the first team in competition history to win eight matches in a row by a two-goal margin.
However, Ricardinho’s back-post header meant that feat went up in smoke and it was evident it frustrated several Arsenal players and Mikel Arteta despite the win.
Piero Hincapie was furious at full-time and hoofed the ball to the side of the pitch in frustration. As he left the field, the Ecuadorian also ripped off his wrist bandages and threw them in anger.
All will be forgotten tomorrow but this Arsenal side holds itself to high standards and that record was easily achievable. It was in their grasp and unfortunately they fumbled it deep into stoppage time.
Viktor Gyokeres had a bizarre night for Arsenal against Kairat Almaty, scoring but missing several big chances(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Triple Champions League draw boost
Now Arsenal have secured top spot, their Champions League knockout stage pathway is virtually mapped out ahead of them on the long-winding road to Budapest.
Well, they don’t know their opponents yet but what they do know is they will be play at home in the second leg of the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals should they make it there.
That’s a major boost because last season they had to do things the hard way, travelling to the Parc des Princes in the semi-final second leg against PSG and the Bernabeu vs Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
It brought the best from them in many ways as their away display in Madrid was a clinic but the last-four proved a step too far as they lost out to eventual winners PSG.
Playing second legs at home is a huge reward for their exploits across the course of the eight group phase matches and it’s one that will offer Arsenal encouragement that they can go all the way in Europe this season.
Arsenal will enjoy home second legs in the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals
Rusty Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori was back in the starting XI following a muscle injury, making his first appearance since the 1-0 win at Everton in December.
His rustiness was apparent inside the opening exchanges when he gave away a penalty for tugging the shirt of a Kairat forward.
Unfortunately for the Italian, VAR was having none of it and the penalty was first given then dispatched by Jorginho.
It is rare you see Calafiori play as a central defender nowadays, even though that was predominately his position during his time at Bologna.
This was far from his best performance in Arsenal colours but that was the beauty of him returning to the fold for this fixture because it counted for precious little.
It’s better for Calafiori to get that rustiness out of his system and get minutes under his belt as there are big and important matches to follow. He was replaced at half-time by Piero Hincapie.
Chaotic Gyokeres
It’s not an exaggeration to say Viktor Gyokeres could have had seven goals by the half-time interval.
He opened the scoring with a red-hot finish and it looked as though he was just going to motor on and bag a hatful.
These kind of fixtures, against a shaky and disjointed defence to put it kindly, are a striker’s dream.
Yet Gyokeres will undoubtedly feel frustrated that he didn’t score more because he fluffed his fair share of chances and also had one snatched off him by Gabriel Martinelli.
The Swede is now up to 10 goals for the season and considering he’s been labelled a big-money flop, that’s a credible tally.
But elite centre-forwards – the likes of Erling Haaland, Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski – would likely have scored five or six tonight.
He missed a sitter from around three yards out and while he was off balance, the chance was still recorded at 0.81xG and the ball somehow flew off for a throw in.
Incredibly, Gyokeres’ lack of cutting edge did not prompt a second-half shake of the head from Arteta but one poor touch did.
Gabriel Martinelli had just dribbled to the byline, cut back a cross before sprinting to win the ball back from Kairat’s full-back, however, play then broke down when Gyokeres miscontrolled and fouled an opposition defender.
Arteta was frustrated, shook his head and turned his back on play. There was a clear drop in level from Arsenal after the break, it was clear the job was done.
Gabriel Martinelli tapped home the third for Arsenal at the back post
Havertz showcases what Arsenal have been missing
It’s been some 357 days since Kai Havertz’s last Arsenal start, which came in the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle last season.
After months of hard graft in the gym and lonely days at London Colney while his team-mates trained, he was back out on the pitch from the get-go and he showcased his quality inside the opening two minutes, serving up a brilliant assist for Gyokeres via a pinpoint pass.
Havertz then scored his first goal since the 5-1 win over Manchester City back in February 2025 when he also assisted.
The German danced inside two defenders before firing into the top corner – a stunning and ruthless finish.
He was withdrawn at half-time but Arteta must relish his return because he really is a difference-maker for Arsenal.
Gabriel Martinelli cannot stop scoring in the Champions League
Martinelli continues red-hot Champions League form
Gabriel Martinelli impressed on the Arsenal left and continued his excellent goalscoring form in the Champions League by netting his sixth of the campaign and his 10th in all competitions.
Only Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have mustered more during the group phase.
He’s also scored in all four of Arsenal’s home Champions League matches this season and is now the club’s joint top-goalscorer with Gyokeres this term with ten.
Leandro Trossard has been so consistent this season and Martinelli is often guilty of failing to take his chance when he gets an opportunity in the Premier League.
Here, he did his chances of dethroning Trossard no harm, even if it was only against Kairat. He left the field to a standing ovation.