Arsenal made history on a dramatic European night, edging past Kairat Almaty 3-2 to record eight consecutive wins in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history. The victory also confirmed the Gunners as the only team with a perfect record in the league phase, sealing top spot and automatic qualification for the Round of 16. On paper, it was a landmark achievement - one that should have sparked unfiltered celebration.
Softfootball understands that yet among the fanbase, the mood was anything but unanimous. Coming into the match, Arsenal were under scrutiny after a difficult run in the Premier League, having dropped points against Nottingham Forest and suffered a damaging home defeat to Manchester United .
Those results trimmed their lead at the top of the table to just four points over Manchester City, leaving supporters edgy and demanding reassurance. Against bottom-placed Kairat, many fans expected a statement - not a nervy finish.
