Arsenal defeated Kairat 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium to round off a perfect record in the Champions League group stage. Mikel Arteta’s have won all eight of their games on the continent this term, and progress automatically into the knockout stages as table-toppers. Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring inside two minutes with an emphatic finish in north London, but the hosts were pegged back just minutes later.
Riccardo Calafiori was adjudged to have felled winger Jorginho, who stepped up to slot home a penalty and score an unlikely equaliser for the Kazakh visitors. Kai Havertz, starting a first game in just under a year, marked his return to the side with a well-taken goal, drilled home into the far corner after good work in the channel from Gyokeres, who would go on to waste a hatful of chances himself.
Gabriel Martinelli tapped home a third as Havertz turned provider, but the Gunners gave away a cheap consolation late on as a defensive mix-up allowed Ricardinho to nod home past Kepa Arrizabalaga. It won’t matter one bit, though, with the north London club through to the last 16, avoiding a play-off round.
Arsenal vs Kairat latest news
- GOAL! Ricardinho nods home consolation
- GOAL! Martinelli adds third
- GOAL! Havertz nets Arsenal second
- GOAL! Jorginho levels from spot
- GOAL! Gyokeres opens scoring
Fan reaction
22:24 , Oli GentI dont usually believe in coincidence but it's taken 22 years but Arsenal have gone invincible again, this timed with no draws. Even more peculiar, in 2004 they had Henry and Bergkamp. Today Havertz and Gyokeres emulated them. Arteta needs to go 442. #ARSKAI #UCL #ChampionsLeague
— The Super7 (@_TheSuper7_) January 28, 2026
Fan reaction
22:21 , Oli Gent5 Big chances missed in 40 mins. I know he scored but damn. That’s gotta be some sort of record. #Arsenal #ARSKAI #Havertz #Gyokeres pic.twitter.com/c2q7OtT8zl
— OB9 (@OSB9_) January 28, 2026
Three things we learned as striker solution emerges
22:21 , Oli GentIt was a wasteful evening in front for Viktor Gyokeres, despite the Swede opening the scoring early on.
Kai Havertz showed his class on his return, while Gabriel Jesus snatched at a couple of chances when he came on, although he was unlucky to see what would have been the hosts’ fourth goal chalked off for offside.
Arsenal player ratings
22:20 , Oli GentA solid display from the Gunners’ second string. But who performed well in their audition for more game time?
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Kairat
21:54 , Oli GentThere we have it. A comfortable victory for Arsenal, and eight wins out of eight in Europe. Not bad at all.
Goal! Arsenal 3-2 Kairat
21:53 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Kairat have a consolation, as Arsenal make a mess of it at the back, and Ricardinho pulls away at the back post to nod home!
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:49 , Oli Gent90 mins: Three added minutes.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:48 , Oli Gent89 mins: Bradley Ibrahim is on for his senior debut, replacing Norgaard.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:48 , Oli Gent88 mins: No goal! There is number four, and it is Jesus! Another in Europe for the Brazilian. A lovely ball in behind from Norgaard, and he takes it nicely on his chest and slots past the keeper... but VAR chalks it off for offside!
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:45 , Oli Gent86 mins: Close! Jesus this time! A real chance for number four as Norgaard slides the Brazilian in, but he can only sidefoot it wide of the far post!
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:42 , Oli Gent83 mins: Close! Madueke is coming ever closer to adding his name to the scoreboard, but he blazes his latest chance over. It was a good one, that.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:38 , Oli Gent81 mins: Jorginho is replaced by Bagdat.
Matt Verri reports
21:37 , Oli Gent79 mins: Brando Bailey-Joseph on for his Arsenal debut, lovely moment for the 17-year-old. Born in 2008. Two thousand and eight.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:36 , Oli Gent77 mins: Two changes for the hosts. Martinelli and Gyokeres are off, replaced by Gabriel Jesus and Brando Bailey-Joseph, who makes his senior debut.
Matt Verri reports
21:34 , Oli Gent74 mins: This match is meandering towards the full-time whistle. Arsenal enjoying almost all of the possession, just a matter of how much they want to push for more goals. Both sides would be happy to walk off now you'd think.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:28 , Oli Gent69 mins: Jorginho is booked, and that’s harsh. Arsenal take the free kick quickly between Madueke and Odegaard, but the cross is cleared by Ricardinho.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:26 , Oli Gent66 mins: Eze is in his groove and is at the heart of all of Arsenal’s build-up. They just need to turn these nice moves into goalscoring opportunities...
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:20 , Oli Gent62 mins: Close! A well-worked short corner routine between Eze and Martinelli takes Kairat by surprise. Eze gets it back and whips in a cross-shot that’s in towards Hincapie, but the Ecuadorian can’t convert from close range.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:18 , Oli Gent59 mins: Emilson and Tapalov are off for Gromyko and Ricardinho as the visitors make two changes.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:15 , Oli Gent55 mins: Eze whips in the latest Arsenal corner, which Anarbekov beats away. It falls for Madueke, with all 60,000 in the Emirates Stadium urging him to take on the volley as it drops down to him. He does, and Anarbekov keeps it out.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
21:11 , Oli Gent52 mins: A decent start to the half for Arsenal who are looking for more goals. Can Gyokeres find another, or even a hat-trick?
Matt Verri reports
21:08 , Oli Gent49 mins: Makes sense to get Calafiori and Havertz off with far more important matches ahead. Havertz in particular with a really encouraging cameo. Strong argument to start him against Leeds on Saturday.
Kick off!
21:04 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway, as Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard are on for Havertz and Calafiori.
Fan reaction
20:54 , Oli GentNow I know why the hashtag for this game is #ARSKAI pic.twitter.com/hdSBkCVNKw
— Arsenal FC (@OneclickAFC) January 28, 2026
Fan reaction
20:50 , Oli GentI’ve been waiting for Havertz to return and link up with Gyokeres. It was worth the wait. #ARSKAI
— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) January 28, 2026
HT: Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:49 , Oli GentThere's the interval. A good half for the Arsenal squad players so far.
What will the second half have in store?
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:46 , Oli Gent45+1 mins: Close! Martinelli cuts inside and shapes to shoot, looking for the curler into the top corner. It just whistles over the top of the postage stamp!
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:46 , Oli Gent45 mins: Three added minutes.
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:42 , Oli Gent42 mins: No goal! Gyokeres goes clean through on goal and thinks he’s scored as he dinks the goalkeeper... but he’s flagged for offside.
Goal! Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:38 , Oli Gent38 mins: Overturned, and it stands! Arsenal have a third.
Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:37 , Oli Gent37 mins: No goal! The flag is up after a lovely, constructed Arsenal move. Martinelli has the ball in the net after Eze, White and Havertz link up down the right, and the German looks for his team-mate at the back stick. Martinelli taps home, but Havertz is ruled offside in the build up. VAR are checking this...
Matt Verri reports
20:35 , Oli Gent36 mins: Gyokeres should have scored four already. A scuffed effort this time after bundling his way through the challenge. He's been way too strong for these Kairat defenders but the finishing since that early goal has been poor.
Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:33 , Oli Gent33 mins: Lewis-Skelly sees his name up in lights as the space opens up ahead of him. He takes aim from a long way out... but he shanks it high and wide.
Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:29 , Oli Gent29 mins: Arsenal are piecing together some lovely moves, slicing through the Kairat defence at will. The second string is putting on a show...
Matt Verri reports
20:26 , Oli Gent26 mins: Sensational Arsenal move, including lovely skill from Madueke and a perfect one-two between Martinelli and Lewis-Skelly. It should end with Gyokeres turning in from a couple of yards out... somehow he's instead sent it out for a throw.
Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:25 , Oli Gent25 mins: Close! Another chance for Gyokeres after good play from the hosts. One-touch, two-touch, as Lewis-Skelly is released down the left. He looks for Gyokeres in the middle, but he can’t find the target.
Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:22 , Oli Gent22 mins: Close! A good ball into the box where Gyokeres has made a dart to the near post. He makes the first contact, but can only divert it wide!
Matt Verri reports
20:19 , Oli Gent18 mins: Havertz making up for lost time. We've played 15 minutes and he already has a goal and an assist. Big roar and a punch of the air - Arsenal badly need him to stay fit.
Goal! Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:16 , Oli Gent16 mins: It’s there, and it’s Havertz! Arsenal reclaim their advantage, and it’s a sumptuous finish by the German. Gyokeres does his bit to win the physical battle in the channel, and Havertz darts inside onto his left foot and fires into the corner.
Arsenal 1-1 Kairat
20:14 , Oli Gent14 mins: That Kairat goal is just the third that Arsenal have conceded in the Champions League this season.
Arsenal 1-1 Kairat
20:11 , Oli Gent11 mins: Eze is looking to make things happen on a big night for him. Almost an audition to win his place back in the side.
Matt Verri reports
20:08 , Oli Gent8 mins: Clearly every player called Jorginho can take penalties. Although this one is being let down slightly by his shirt - the r has peeled off on the back of his shirt. Not quite what he wants for the pictures of him scoring at the Emirates.
Goal! Arsenal 1-1 Kairat
20:07 , Oli Gent7 mins: Jorginho - not that one - steps up. The Kazakhs are level at the Emirates, as he beats Kepa!
Arsenal 1-0 Kairat
20:06 , Oli Gent6 mins: Penalty! The referee has given it! What a chance for Kairat.
Arsenal 1-0 Kairat
20:05 , Oli Gent5 mins: What’s this, now? VAR are checking for a penalty as Calafiori has tugged back his man back... the referee has gone to the monitor here...
Matt Verri reports
20:05 , Oli Gent4 mins: A confidence-boosting night for Gyokeres would have been very high on Arteta's wish list tonight. A goal inside two minutes, particularly one assisted by Havertz, will do nicely.
Goal! Arsenal 1-0 Kairat
20:03 , Oli Gent2 mins: What a start, with Arsenal ahead inside two minutes! It’s Gyokeres who gets on it, with Eze and Havertz combining to set the Swede away. He latches onto it and drives through the middle, and lashes it home with his right foot.
Kick off!
20:00 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning
19:54 , Oli GentThe players are out, and it’s time for the anthem.
10 minutes!
19:51 , Oli GentKick off is fast approaching. How will Arsenal fare tonight?
A first start in a year!
19:47 , Oli GentKai Havertz is back in the Arsenal starting XI.
It looks as though he’ll be in midfield this evening, but could we see him up top at some point?
Fan reaction
19:38 , Oli GentCaptain Benny Blanco tonight!
— Nick @ Footy Draws✏️ (@Footy_Draws) January 28, 2026
Love it.
Let’s finish the group stage strong! #coyg #ARSKAI @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/vrtQiX3XA4
Pressure on Spurs
19:32 , Oli GentUnder-fire Spurs boss Thomas Frank needs a win after a disappointing draw with Burnley at the weekend.
Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund and are in a strong position to finish in the top eight this evening, but a win would be huge for them and their manager.
Also tonight!
19:25 , Oli GentA big game for Chelsea as they take on former boss Antonio Conte and his Serie A champions Napoli.
Kairat lineup
19:14 , Oli GentKairat XI: Anarbekov; Shirobokov, Martynovich, Sorokin; Tapalov, Glazer, Sadybekov, Mata; Mrynskiy, Edmilson, Monteiro
Subs: Bagdat, Gromyko, Stanojev, Ricardinho, Kurgin, Kasabulat, Buch, Kalmurza
Matt Verri reports
19:09 , Oli Gent🗣️"It does feel important that they get a comprehensive victory." @MattVerri shares his pre-match thoughts ahead of this one.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 28, 2026
LIVE: https://t.co/vUcaCWFI68 #ARSKAI | #UCL pic.twitter.com/9gsu2a7krM
Stat attack
19:05 , Oli GentNo team in #UCL history has won eight games in a row by 2+ goals. ❌️
— Flashscore.com (@Flashscorecom) January 27, 2026
Can Arsenal pull it off? 👀#ARSKAI pic.twitter.com/WsTEgJJi4J
Fan reaction
18:56 , Oli GentWell deserved rest for Saliba Timber Rice And Raya. Our top 4 best players and most consistent rn
— Marv (@1seulTima) January 28, 2026
Matt Verri reports
18:51 , Oli GentFor the first time in almost a year, Kai Havertz starts for Arsenal. He’s down to line up in midfield but you’d imagine against this opposition he’ll be near enough a second striker. Also good to see Riccardo Calafiori not just fit enough to make the squad but to start.
Arsenal lineup
18:46 , Oli GentArsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Eze, Havertz; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Subs: Setford, Porter, Gabriel, Salmon, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Ibrahim, Odegaard, Bailey-Joseph, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Arsenal predicted XI
18:40 , Oli GentHere’s how Matt Verri thinks the Gunners could line up...
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
N5 nights 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/mXzTLB37yL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 28, 2026
Big transfer news!
18:27 , Oli GentFormer Arsenal loanee Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea by mutual consent today.
The England international has not played for the Blues at all this term since being frozen out by ex-manager Enzo Maresca.
Arteta sends new message to Arsenal stars after 'tough' Man Utd loss
18:20 , Oli GentMikel Arteta has insisted there was "nothing to fault" from his Arsenal players against Manchester United.
The Gunners were beaten 3-2 on Sunday in what was their first home defeat of the season.
With Manchester City and Aston Villa both winning their matches at the weekend, Arsenal's advantage at the top of the Premier League is now only four points.
Arsenal were on top in the early stages of the match but then lost control and were unable to regain it, with much of the analysis after the game centred on whether the team had the mentality to survive the pressure of a title race.
However, after watching the match back twice, Arteta put the loss down to two brilliant finishes from Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu, who both scored from outside the box.
Why Kairat dead rubber has a lot riding on it for Eze
18:14 , Oli GentOne momentary lapse in concentration has seemingly been all it took to stall Eberechi Eze's Arsenal career, Matt Verri writes.
Pau Torres swung in a cross from the left wing at Villa Park and Jurrien Timber could only flick it on to the back post.
Eze was on his heels and Matty Cash behind him reacted first, slamming a finish through the legs of David Raya. Realising his fault in Aston Villa's opener, a match Unai Emery's side went on to win, Eze crouched to the ground with his head in his hands.
The 27-year-old was brought off at half-time and has started just one of the eight Premier League matches that have followed.
Spotted: Havertz with Arsenal squad
18:04 , Oli GentKai Havertz has been spotted with the Arsenal squad ahead of this game, having missed out on the last few matchday squads.
Could the German feature this evening?
🚨 BREAKING:
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) January 28, 2026
Kai Havertz is with the Arsenal squad ahead of our UCL match after he missed out on the squad over the last few games! 🇩🇪 🦒 pic.twitter.com/tGWrd5e1ic
Match odds
17:57 , Oli GentArsenal to win: 1/33
Kairat to win: 66/1
Draw: 16/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Standard Sport prediction
17:52 , Oli GentArsenal should make light work of Kairat, who have one point to their name after seven league phase games to sit rock bottom of the table.
This is an opportunity for those who are struggling for minutes to make a case to Mikel Arteta amid an uneven run of form for the Gunners, namely £65million midfielder Eberechi Eze.
It is a match up between the so-called the best in Europe versus the worst in the Champions League, and the scoreline should reflect that.
Arsenal to win, 4-0.
Arsenal team news
17:43 , Oli GentMikel Arteta will again ring the changes in Europe for what is essentially a dead-rubber game.
The likes of Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly should all come into the starting lineup after limited or zero minutes against Manchester United.
That should see Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus drop out. Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz hope to be in contention, but William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are now out while Max Dowman is sidelined.
Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are unavailable through suspension, while Christian Norgaard is a booking away from missing the round of 16 first leg.
How to watch
17:37 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 7, with coverage starting at 7.30pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s final Champions League group game against Kairat.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit pretty at the top of the table after seven wins from seven in Europe this term.
They could round off a perfect eight matches with one final victory here.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm GMT.
