Arsenal F.C. vs FC Kairat Almaty Stats – Key Match Facts

Arsenal secured top spot in their UEFA Champions League group with a 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty at Emirates Stadium on 28 January 2026. The result marked the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, with the home side’s attacking efficiency proving decisive despite a late scare from the Kazakh visitors.

Arsenal controlled large stretches of the match from the opening minute. Viktor Gyokeres struck in the second minute, setting the tone for a dominant first-half display. Kairat Almaty responded with a penalty equaliser through J. Costa Monteiro in the seventh minute, but goals from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli before half-time restored Arsenal’s cushion. R. Viana Filho scored a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors, but Arsenal held on to claim all three points.

The win confirmed Arsenal’s position at the top of their Champions League group, while Kairat Almaty exited the competition after a campaign that included five consecutive defeats leading into this fixture.

What was the final score of Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty?

Key match insights

• Arsenal secured first place in their Champions League group with the 3-2 win, their third consecutive home victory in the competition.
• The match was the first ever meeting between the two clubs in European competition.
• Arsenal dominated possession with 65.6% and recorded 25 shots to Kairat’s four.
• Despite eight big chances missed, Arsenal converted three first-half goals to effectively decide the match before the interval.
• Kairat Almaty managed only two shots on target, both of which resulted in goals — a penalty and a late stoppage-time strike.
• Arsenal won 62.5% of aerial duels, underlining their physical superiority in both boxes.

Match facts

What is the head-to-head record between Arsenal and Kairat Almaty?

This match represented the first ever encounter between Arsenal and Kairat Almaty in UEFA competition. According to the UEFA head-to-head database, the two clubs had no previous meetings in the Champions League or any other European tournament before January 2026.

The all-time record therefore stands at one match played, with Arsenal winning 3-2. No draws, no additional fixtures in other competitions, and no prior knockout-stage encounters exist between the sides.

Recent form comparison before the match

Arsenal entered the fixture in strong form, particularly at Emirates Stadium where they had won their previous home matches in the Champions League. Kairat Almaty, by contrast, had lost their last five matches across all competitions, including a 4-1 defeat to Club Brugge on 20 January 2026 and a 1-0 loss to Olympiakos on 9 December 2025.

All-time statistical comparison

Given the single match sample, all-time statistics are identical to those recorded on 28 January 2026. Arsenal hold a 100% winning record in the fixture, have scored three goals, and have conceded two. Kairat Almaty’s record shows one loss, two goals scored, and three conceded. These numbers will only change if the clubs meet again in future UEFA competitions.

Where can I find Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty highlights, tickets, and live stream?

Match highlights and video

Official match highlights are typically published on the UEFA Match Centre page for the fixture, which embeds video content alongside the full match timeline. Broadcasters and sports news outlets such as ESPN and Sky Sports also provide highlight clips and post-match analysis.

Ticketing information

The match took place on 28 January 2026, so tickets for this specific fixture are no longer available. For future Arsenal home matches in the Champions League, tickets are typically sold through the club’s official website and UEFA’s authorised resale platform. Kairat Almaty supporters would have accessed away allocations via their club’s ticketing office.

Live stream and broadcast

Broadcast rights for the UEFA Champions League vary by region. In the United Kingdom, matches are shown on BT Sport (now TNT Sports). FlashScore provides real-time updates and live text commentary for those unable to watch. For on-demand viewing, official UEFA partners and club channels typically offer full match replays within 24 hours of the final whistle.

What was the prediction for Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty?

Pre-match predictions strongly favoured Arsenal, given their home advantage, superior squad depth, and position in the group standings. Kairat Almaty had lost all of their previous five matches and were already eliminated from the knockout stage, while Arsenal needed a win to confirm top spot in the group.

The statistical disparity was reflected in the betting odds and expert forecasts. Arsenal’s 65.6% possession, 25 shots, and 11 corners against Kairat’s zero corners underscored the gulf in class that most analysts had anticipated. The result aligned broadly with expectations, though Kairat’s two goals — including a late consolation — exceeded what many had predicted for the visitors.

When did the goals happen in Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty?

1. 2nd minute: Viktor Gyokeres scores for Arsenal, firing the home side into an early lead.
2. 7th minute: J. Costa Monteiro equalises for Kairat Almaty from the penalty spot.
3. 15th minute: Kai Havertz restores Arsenal’s lead with a well-taken finish.
4. 36th minute: Gabriel Martinelli extends Arsenal’s advantage to 3-1 before half-time.
5. 94th minute: R. Viana Filho pulls one back for Kairat Almaty in stoppage time, but Arsenal hold on for the victory.

The sequence shows that Arsenal scored inside two minutes and again within the first quarter-hour, establishing control early. Kairat’s penalty response in the seventh minute briefly created parity, but Martinelli’s goal before the interval effectively decided the match. The late goal from Viana Filho came too late to alter the result. The full timeline of events, including substitutions and cards, is available on the ESPN match summary.

Which match details are confirmed and which remain uncertain?

What did the result mean for Arsenal and Kairat Almaty in the Champions League?

Arsenal’s victory secured first place in their Champions League group, ensuring a theoretically favourable draw in the round of 16. The result extended their strong home record in the competition and demonstrated their ability to control matches through possession and pressing. Despite missing eight big chances, the team’s attacking depth — with goals from Gyokeres, Havertz, and Martinelli — underlined the squad’s offensive variety.

For Kairat Almaty, the match marked the end of a challenging debut Champions League campaign. The Kazakh side entered the group stage as underdogs and failed to win any of their six matches. Their performance at Emirates Stadium showed resilience, particularly in scoring twice against a top-tier opponent, but defensive lapses in the first half proved costly. The club will return to domestic football and may qualify for European competition again via their league position.

Tactically, Arsenal’s 62.5% aerial duel success rate and 21 successful dribbles (from 38 attempts) reflected their willingness to attack directly and through individual skill. Kairat Almaty, with only six attempted dribbles and 211 accurate passes, struggled to build sustained possession. Their 69.6% passing accuracy, compared to Arsenal’s 88.5%, highlighted the technical gap between the sides.

What did the managers say about the Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty match?

According to PA Media, as reported by ESPN, the result confirmed Arsenal’s position at the top of the Champions League group phase table. The quote attributed to the wire service states: “Arsenal finished top of the Champions League group phase table after a 3–2 win over Kairat Almaty.”

Arsenal finished top of the Champions League group phase table after a 3–2 win over Kairat Almaty.

— PA Media (via ESPN)

Full post-match comments from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Kairat Almaty’s head coach were not available in the source materials reviewed. For complete press conference coverage, official UEFA match reports and club media channels typically publish manager statements within 24 hours of the final whistle.

What is the overall summary of Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty’s Champions League clash?

Arsenal defeated Kairat Almaty 3-2 at Emirates Stadium on 28 January 2026, a result that confirmed top spot in their UEFA Champions League group. The home side dominated possession, created 25 shots, and scored three first-half goals through Gyokeres, Havertz, and Martinelli. Kairat Almaty showed fight with a penalty from Costa Monteiro and a stoppage-time strike from Viana Filho, but their elimination from the competition had already been confirmed before kick-off. The match represented the first ever meeting between the two clubs. For a detailed breakdown of the full match timeline and statistics, read the Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty: UEFA Champions League Match Report.

Frequently asked questions about Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty