Already qualified, Mikel Arteta’s side aims to become the first team to finish the new UCL league phase with a perfect eight-win streak.
Arsenal welcome Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty to the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday (28) with history on the horizon. While the North London side has already secured a top-two finish, a victory tonight would make them the first club ever to complete the new Champions League “Swiss Model” league phase with a flawless 8-0-0 record.
The Dominance of Arteta’s Men The Gunners have been unstoppable in Europe this season, racking up 21 points and a staggering +18 goal difference. Despite a recent domestic slip-up against Manchester United, their continental form remains pristine.
“We have earned the right to be in this position,” Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match briefing. “Now we want to finish what we started and head into the knockouts with maximum conviction.”
Team News: Heavy Rotation Expected With top spot nearly guaranteed, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad. Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are both suspended, which opens the door for younger talents and fringe players to shine against the bottom-placed Kazakhs.
Predicted Lineups:
- Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Havertz; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.
- Kairat Almaty (4-2-3-1): Anarbekov; Shirobokov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Tapalov; Glazer, Sadybekov; Mata, Mrynskiy, Edmilson; Jorginho.
Match Facts:
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM EST (5:00 PM Brasília).
- Historical Context: This is the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs.
- Kairat’s Struggle: The visitors have managed just one point in seven matches and possess the joint-worst defensive record in the competition (19 goals conceded).
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
