Mikel Arteta's side are already through to the last 16 stage of the competition following their exemplary run in the competition
Matty Hewitt Football Writer
06:00, 28 Jan 2026
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Arsenal are already into the last 16 of the Champions League with one game to spare.
Arsenal are in a brilliant position heading into the final game of the Champions League this season. They'll take on FC Kairat in a dead-rubber, having guaranteed their place in the last 16 stage of the tournament by bypassing the play-off stage and securing a top-eight finish.
The Gunners and Bayern Munich have guaranteed their place in the top eight, while there are only four other teams with nothing to play for on Wednesday night.
With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at all the Champions League permutations Gunners' fans need to know heading into the final game of the league phase tonight.
Current standing ahead of the final game
Arsenal sit top of the Champions League table, taking maximum points from their seven games in the league phase of the competition following the recent win over Inter Milan.
Mikel Arteta's side are the only team in the tournament to boast a 100% win record, with 21 points to their name. Bayern Munich are in second place on 18 points, after six wins and one defeat, while Real Madrid are in third place on 15 points with five wins and two defeats.
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What's the lowest position Arsenal can finish?
Arsenal are in a brilliant position heading into their final game of the competition, where they'll host Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Kairat at the Emirates Stadium.
Their opponents have taken just one point from their seven Champions League games and cannot qualify for the knockout stages.
It's highly unlikely the Gunners will be beaten by the competition's weakest side, though stranger things have happened. Should the visitors pull off a minor miracle, Arsenal will finish the league phase on 21 points.
Arteta's side has a goal difference of plus 18 and has conceded just two goals in Europe this season, meaning second-placed Bayern Munich will need both Arsenal to lose and to overcome a five-goal swing in the final gameweek to finish top.
Vincent Kompany's side are in action against PSV, who are still fighting for a route into the knockout stages. The Gunners cannot finish any lower than second place; even then, it's highly unlikely they'll surrender top spot.
What are the differences in finishing first, or second?
Arsenal are already through to the last-16 of the competition, meaning they'll have one less round of midweek fixtures to play in February. The Gunners were already guaranteed a top-eight finish thanks to Man City's defeat at Bodo/Glimt.
Arteta's men need just a point to finish in first place and will take on the winners of the knockout phase play-off between the 15th and 16th seeds, or the 17th and 18th seeds.
As things currently stand, it means they'll face one of Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray or Qarabag. However, there is, of course, one more round of games to play, and that picture could change drastically.
Finishing in the top two has already guaranteed Arsenal an easier route to the semi-final stages, The top-four teams in the league phase are given second legs at home in the last 16 and quarter-finals, while the top two teams are guaranteed second-leg games on home soil should they reach the semi-finals.
What about the financial benefit?
Should Arsenal triumph against Kairat, they'll pocket £10.4million from the outcome and league positioning bonuses. Beyond the league phase payments, teams finishing 1st to 8th will collect an extra €2million (£1.74million) whilst clubs placed 9th to 16th will receive an additional €1million (£870,000).
Reaching the round of 16 brings €11million (£9.6million) per club, whilst the quarter-final, semi-final, and final deliver €12.5million (£10.9million), €15million (£13million), and €18.5million (£16.1million) per club, respectively. The Champions League victors also receive a further €6.5million (£5.7million).
Who could Arsenal face in the last 16?
Well, this is a bit more unclear. As mentioned above, the Gunners could face Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Qarabag if the table stays the same, but other than Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, and Kairat, 32 teams still have something to play for.
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When are the next rounds?
Knockout phase play-offs 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026 (Arsenal won't play in)
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final draws: 27 February 2026 (Arsenal re-enter the competition)
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
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