Arsenal vs Kairat

The Emirates Stadium plays host to a historic "top vs. bottom" clash tonight, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as Arsenal concludes their flawless Champions League league phase against Kazakh debutants Kairat Almaty. Kick-off is set for 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 21:00 local).

This is a true "dead rubber" with zero stakes for the standings but plenty of meaning for the history books. Arsenal sits in 1st place (21 points) with a 100% winning record, having already secured a top-two finish and a direct path to the Round of 16. Kairat Almaty occupies 36th place (1 point), having already been eliminated from the competition.

Match Information

Arsenal: The Pursuit of Perfection

Mikel Arteta’s side enters this match seeking an unprecedented eighth consecutive win in the Champions League league phase. While the Gunners were "beaten and bruised" following a 3–2 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, tonight offers a prime opportunity for squad rotation and a morale-boosting victory before a crucial weekend trip to Leeds.

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Rotation: William Saliba and Jurrien Timber have been ruled out with minor "niggles" to ensure they are fit for the weekend. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié are expected to return to the matchday squad.

• Midfield Suspensions: Both Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are unavailable tonight due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

• New Faces: Expected starts for Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera, and Christian Nørgaard, who has struggled for minutes recently.

• Attack: With Kai Havertz likely to be rested, Viktor Gyökeres is set to lead the line supported by the creative trio of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Eze; Madueke, Ødegaard, Martinelli; Gyökeres.

Kairat Almaty: A Historic Night in N5

For Kairat Almaty, tonight is about pride and history. This marks the first time the Kazakhstan Premier League champions have ever faced an English side in competitive play. Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, their journey to the Emirates represents a massive milestone for Kazakh football.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Woes: Midfielder Azamat Tuyakbayev (chest) and star forward Dastan Satpayev (thigh) have not traveled to London.

• Defensive Focus: Manager Guillermo Abascal is expected to set up in a rigid low block, relying on the experience of captain Aleksandr Martynovich to withstand the Arsenal onslaught.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Glazer, Kasabulat; Mrynskiy, Jorginho, Gromyko; Edmilson.

 Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• First Meeting: This is the first-ever competitive fixture between Arsenal and Kairat Almaty.

• The "Perfect" Run: Arsenal is the only team in the 2025/26 Champions League with a 100% win rate (7/7).

• Defensive Dominance: Arsenal has conceded just two goals in seven European matches this season.

• Kairat’s Struggle: The visitors have conceded 19 goals in seven games, the highest in the competition. Their lone point came in a draw against Pafos.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

This match is widely considered a "David vs. Goliath" mismatch. Arsenal will likely dominate possession (projected 75%+) and use the width of the pitch to pull Kairat’s defense apart. The return of Martin Ødegaard to the starting lineup—after being rested on Sunday—should provide the vision needed to unlock a packed defense.

Kairat will look to play for a respectable scoreline, hoping to catch Arsenal on a set-piece or a rare defensive lapse. However, even with significant rotation, the gulf in quality between the Premier League leaders and the Kazakh champions is vast.

Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 4–0 Kairat Almaty