What Kai Havertz did that will delight Mikel Arteta after Arsenal striker nightmare

Kai Havertz returns with perfect performance for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League

An utterly bizarre and baffling game between Arsenal and Kairat Almaty saw the Gunners end their league phase by becoming the first side to win eight successive UEFA Champions League matches in a row in the new iteration of the competition, but also saw their chances of another record ripped away in the final seconds.

Had Ricardinho not scored in added time, the Gunners would have become the first Champions League side to win eight successive matches by two or more goals. However, based on how the game led to that point, it was hardly a surprise the clash would end without a moment of chaos.

Never has a player had a bigger smile on their face than Ricardinho after the full-time whistle despite being on the losing side. The Kairat Almaty fans in the corner stayed in force to celebrate an end to their European journey, while the Gunners’ goes on with much grander expectations.

Finishing in top spot confirms that Arsenal will play every second leg of the knockout round they reach at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta admitted that while this is “on paper” an advantage, the bigger focus was avoiding the additional two play-off matches.

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“In principle, on paper, something positive, the main thing was to avoid another two games with the schedule that we have already, and then make the most out of it,” he said.

“We have to wait and see who our next opponent is going to be, and in the meantime, we’re going to be so busy with the other competitions.”

The four sides Arsenal could face in the last-16 can be any of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiacos (obviously). Their European campaign will not resume now until March and by then, Kai Havertz could have found his feet and even more form.

He kicked off his return to action in the perfect way. A first start in 357 days, a goal and an assist and could have had more too – a 45 minute showing which places him firmly in contention to return to the Premier League at Leeds United.

“Yeah, that’s a very positive thing as well, individually, getting Richy back as well after the injury,” he said. “Kai, not only bringing him in, I think the quality that he showed, the way he connected with the team, the goal that he scored, the assist that he made in the first half, a really positive performance.”

Asked if he would be banging down Arteta’s door on Thursday to plead his case, Arteta was expectant: “For sure he wanted to continue playing today so I know what is coming tomorrow.”

Viktor Gyokeres has, in Havertz’s stead, been the predominant centre-forward starter and continued that against Kairat while the German played in the advanced central midfield position. Opening the scoring, you’d think the post-match feeling surrounding the Swede would be nothing but positive, but in reality, what followed undermined the perfect start.

Gyokeres had several big chances in this game, failing to take any. One opportunity in particular, the ball put on a plate, a yard out, the goalkeeper out of the picture, Gyokeres managed to get only a connection on the ball that saw it skew so far wide it went out for an opposition throw-in.

Gabriel Martinelli’s goal should have been put in by Gyokeres too but needed the smashing touch of the Brazilian winger. Gabriel Jesus replaced him late on and had chances of his own which he too failed to take, at least not legally.

Jesus did score after making a great run in behind, lobbing the keeper, but had timed his movements too early and the offside flag ruled out the goal. The performances of both the Gunners’ centre-forwards in this game only emphasised the importance of Kai Havertz’s return to action.

While this was the first game since Arteta’s rousing calls for calm, conviction and courage with an aim of going on to win their biggest aims come the end of the season, everyone is aware that the win over Kairat is not what will vindicate these words in the short term. The tension is all associated with the trip to Leeds United on Sunday.

Arteta has a near-fully-fit squad now with Riccardo Calafiori also coming back, despite looking somewhat rusty, giving away a penalty. The question is, who does Arteta have the faith in to get the biggest three points of Arsenal’s season so far at the weekend?