The Champions League’s league phase reaches its conclusion at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as Arsenal look to secure top spot against Kazakhstani debutants Kairat.
The Gunners arrive following a bruising 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United. This marked their first domestic home loss of the season. However, their European campaign remains flawless with seven wins from seven. They require just a single point to guarantee a first-place finish. For Kairat, already eliminated with one point, this is a chance for a memorable performance.
Arsenal vs Kairat – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Referee: Urs Schnyder (SUI)
- VAR: Fedayi San (SUI)
- Last Meeting: This is the first competitive meeting between the sides
Team News
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta confirmed William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will miss the game. They are recovering from minor niggles ahead of the weekend. Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are both unavailable due to suspension. However, Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori have returned to training and are available. Max Dowman remains the only long-term injury absentee.
Kairat
The Kazakh side is missing ineligible winter arrivals Lucas Africo, Jaako Oksanen, and Sebastian Zeballos. Dastan Satpaev remains a major doubt after a recent thigh injury. Azamat Tuyakbayev is also ruled out with a chest injury. The visitors may struggle to cope with the intensity of a rotated Arsenal side.
Form
Arsenal
The Gunners have won all seven Champions League games this season by a 2+ goal margin. No team in competition history has ever achieved this in eight consecutive matches. Arsenal have won all three of their home European matches this term. Notably, they are the only team who have not trailed at any point during this edition.
Kairat
Kairat are winless in their debut league phase campaign, losing six of their seven matches. However, goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov has performed well despite the team’s defensive struggles. He currently has the highest goals-prevented differential of any keeper in this edition. The Kazakh champions will play for pride in their first-ever meeting with an English club.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Norgaard, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Kairat Predicted XI: Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Sadybekov, Glazer; Mrynskiy, Jorginho, Gromyco; Edmilson
How to watch Arsenal vs Kairat?
The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 7. Coverage starts at 19:30 GMT ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.
Read more- ‘We’re going to win it’ – Arteta makes promise to Arsenal fans following Man Utd defeat
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