Arsenal vs Kairat: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Arsenal bring their Champions League league phase campaign to an end when they host Kazakhstani champions Kairat on Wednesday night.

The Gunners will be looking to bounce back after falling to a surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in their previous outing. A Lisandro Martinez own goal put them ahead, but their visitors fought back through Bryan Mbeumo before Patrick Dorgu turned the tables with a sublime strike. Mikel Merino levelled matters for Mikel Arteta's side, but Matheus Cunha won it late on with a brilliant effort from range.

Very much the minnows of this season's Champions League, Kairat have had a tough time in their debut European campaign and currently sit bottom of the league phase table with just a point from their first seven games. Having taken a point off fellow newcomers Pafos, Halyq komandasy have lost Sporting, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Copenhagen, Olympiacos and Club Brugge.

Both sides find themselves in very different circumstances heading into this game. Arsenal are top of the table and will be looking to make it eight wins out of eight in the league phase, while Kairat, already eliminated, will aim to go out fighting with a shock performance at the Emirates.

Here's our preview of the Gunners' European encounter with Kairat.

Arsenal vs Kairat: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Arsenal vs Kairat kick off?

• When is kick off? Wednesday 28 January, 2026
• What time is kick off? 20:00 GMT
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium
• Referee: Urs Schnyder
  

Arsenal vs Kairat head-to-head record

This will be the first ever encounter between Arsenal and Kairat.

How to watch Arsenal vs Kairat

Arsenal team news

With a top two finish secured, Arteta can take the opportunity to rotate his side, offering squad players crucial minutes and main options a well-earned rest.

Both Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz could make their returns from injury on Wednesday after they were said to be nearing comebacks ahead of the United defeat. However, if the pair are to feature, they will likely start the game from the bench.

Arteta will be without William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. He confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the defensive duo were suffering with niggles while, the midfield pair will serve suspensions after picking up yellow cards in last week's win at Inter Milan.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Kairat: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Nørgaard, Eze; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli

Kairat team news

With the Kazakhstan Premier League coming to an end in October, Kairat's full focus has been on the Champions League over the past few months, but that hasn't meant their squad is fully fit.

Dastan Satpaev, who is set to join Chelsea this summer, was absent from the defeat to Club Brugge and it's unclear if he will be available on Wednesday evening.

Winter arrivals Lucas Africo, Jaako Oksanen and Sebastian Zeballos also won't feature as they are ineligible to play at this stage.

Arsenal vs Kairat score prediction

There should be no doubt that Arsenal are the side to take three points on Wednesday evening.

Other than pulling themselves level for 12 minutes against Inter Milan and managing a late barrage against Copenhagen, Kairat haven't really come close to causing any sort of upset in their maiden Champions League voyage so it's unlikely they will do so at the Emirates.

Even with a heavily rotated side, the Gunners should have no problem in dispatching Kairat and they will comfortably take the win.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Kairat