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Top faces bottom at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, as Champions League leaders Arsenal look to complete an almost perfect league-phase campaign against Kairat. The Gunners need only a point against their 36th-ranked visitors to secure first place, while Kairat’s debut in Europe’s elite competition has proven a steep learning curve.

Arsenal have set new club records during a remarkable European run this season, sweeping aside all challengers in the 2025-26 league phase and amassing a flawless 21 points from 21 available to book their spot in the last 16 with a game to spare. While Inter Milan’s defense has long been praised, Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled the Nerazzurri at San Siro last week, with Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres leading the way in a commanding 3-1 victory over the 2022-23 and 2024-25 runners-up.

Now three points clear of former opponents Bayern Munich and well ahead of the chasing pack, Arsenal—joint-top for goals scored (20) and boasting the best defensive record with just two conceded—can guarantee top spot with at least a draw on Wednesday. However, Arteta’s men will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, their first home loss of the season in any competition, which drew a few boos from the home crowd.

Arsenal have often relied on set-piece prowess to compensate for periods of sluggish play, but that was missing against Michael Carrick’s side. If similar issues arise on Wednesday, it could raise further questions about their title credentials.

Meanwhile, the outcome of this fixture won’t alter the fate of either side. Champions League newcomers Kairat are set to exit at the group stage regardless of Wednesday’s result. The Kazakhstani side have managed just one point in the league phase—a goalless draw at home to fellow debutants Pafos—before suffering narrow defeats to Inter, Olympiacos, and Copenhagen, and a heavy 4-1 loss to Club Brugge.

While Kairat could theoretically climb above Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Eintracht Frankfurt with a surprise result at the Emirates, only a shock victory would see them leapfrog the latter two. For Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad, this campaign has been a valuable learning experience, even if they were never expected to trouble the tournament’s heavyweights. With both teams’ destinies already sealed, however, there’s always the possibility of an unexpected twist in North London.

• Under 4.5 goals - 4/5 (Betfred)
• Bukayo Saka to score anytime - 4/6 (Betfred)
• Over 9.5 total corners - Evens (Betfred)

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