Arsenal Set for Champions League Clash Against Struggling Qairat

LONDON (Interstat) — Arsenal FC will look to continue its dominant run in the UEFA Champions League when it hosts Kazakhstan’s Qairat FK at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The Round of 16 first-leg matchup pits one of Europe’s in-form sides against a club fighting for its continental survival. Arsenal enters January 28, 2026, having won its last six matches in all competitions, outscoring opponents 18-2 in that span. Their most recent result was a commanding 3-1 away victory over Inter Milan on Jan. 20.

Mikel Arteta’s squad topped its group with a perfect record, including decisive wins over Bayern Munich and Club Brugge. The Gunners’ high-pressure system has proven effective both domestically and in Europe.

Qairat, meanwhile, scraped into the knockout stage as a second-place finisher but is mired in a severe slump. The Kazakh champions have lost four consecutive matches and are winless in their last five. They were routed 4-1 at home by Club Brugge last Tuesday.

Their European campaign has been defined by defensive frailty, conceding four goals to Sporting CP and three each to FC København and Inter Milan. A 0-0 draw with Cypriot side Pafos in October stands as their only clean sheet in the tournament.

Historical and statistical trends heavily favor the hosts. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Arsenal 2, Qairat 0. The model reflects Arsenal’s stout defense and Qairat’s struggles to score against elite competition; Qairat failed to score in half of its group stage matches.

For Qairat, the tie represents a monumental challenge. Avoiding a heavy deficit in London will be the primary objective to keep hopes alive for the return leg in Kazakhstan. Arsenal will be expected to control possession and tempo as it seeks a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg.

The match kicks off at 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).