Arsenal Set to Clash with Kairat: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
The league leaders meet the bottom side in the concluding matchday of Champions League group stage action as Arsenal take on winless Kairat Almaty.
The North London club has already secured their spot in the Round of 16 following seven consecutive European wins and will guarantee first place with any result other than a loss against their Kazakhstani visitors on Wednesday evening. With Kairat already knocked out after managing only a single point in their maiden European campaign, Arsenal should face minimal resistance.
Disappointment will still be fresh at the Emirates Stadium, though, following Arsenal's setback against Manchester United in Premier League action on Sunday. The 3–2 reverse reduced their advantage at the top to merely four points, raising concerns about the psychological resilience of Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arsenal ought to bounce back with a victory and offer some essential recovery time for crucial players on Wednesday, despite the match carrying limited significance.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the encounter.
What Time Does Arsenal vs. Kairat Kick-Off?
What Time Does Arsenal vs. Kairat Kick-Off?
Arsenal vs. Kairat Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal vs. Kairat Head-to-Head Record
This marks the inaugural competitive meeting between Arsenal and Kairat.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Arsenal | Kairat |
|---|---|
Arsenal 2–3 Man Utd - 25/1/26 | Kairat 1–4 Club Brugge - 20/1/26 |
Inter 1–3 Arsenal - 20/1/26 | Kairat 0–1 Olympiacos - 9/1/26 |
Nottingham Forest 0–0 Arsenal - 17/1/26 | Copenhagen 3–2 Kairat - 26/11/25 |
Chelsea 2–3 Arsenal - 14/1/26 | Inter 2–1 Kairat - 5/11/26 |
Portsmouth 1–4 Arsenal - 11/1/26 | Kairat 1–1 Astana – 26/11/26 |
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Kairat on TV, Live Stream
How to Watch Arsenal vs. Kairat on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 7, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, ViX |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | FOX One |
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal Team News
Piero Hincapié was restored to the first XI for the United match after a brief injury layoff, but Riccardo Calafiori was still missing from the matchday squad. The Italian defender has resumed training, however, and could potentially see action against Kairat.
Kai Havertz was also omitted from the United squad as Arsenal maintain a cautious approach to his comeback. Nevertheless, Arteta has indicated he will receive playing time in the upcoming fixtures and may appear in some role midweek.
Arsenal's sole confirmed unavailable player against Kairat is prospect Max Dowman, with Arteta expected to make extensive alterations from the United lineup.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Kairat
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Kairat
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Kairat (4-2-3-1): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Gyökeres.
Kairat Team News
Kairat Team News
Kairat's league campaign won't commence until March, with the team's previous four fixtures all occurring in the Champions League, yet they continue to face some fitness concerns.
Dastan Satpayev, who is set to move to Chelsea this summer, may be unavailable after being ruled out of last week's 4–1 loss to Club Brugge. The 17-year-old might be accompanied on the injury list by Olzhas Baybek and Azamat Tuyakbayev.
Kairat's January signings are not permitted to participate.
Kairat Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal
Kairat Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal
Kairat predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Glazer, Kasabulat; Mrynskiy, Jorginho, Gromyko; Edmilson.
Arsenal vs. Kairat Score Prediction
Arsenal vs. Kairat Score Prediction
Kairat occupy last place in the table with good reason. One point earned, six losses suffered and 19 goals shipped illustrates a team thoroughly overwhelmed by this level.
Their inaugural Champions League group stage triumph will need to be postponed to another campaign, with the underdogs unlikely to even find the net against Arsenal, never mind claim an unlikely win.
Even a heavily rotated Arsenal side should cruise to victory and preserve the club's flawless European campaign, with the reduced stakes potentially enabling a more expressive display than Arteta observed against United over the weekend.