As a result, [Mikel Arteta](/topic/mikel-arteta) will surely be eyeing Saturday's trip to Leeds as the priority this week.
Mikel Merino and Declan Rice will not be involved against Kairat, having picked up bookings in the win over Inter Milan that mean they are suspended.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal, as he has done in the cup competitions all season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White are also likely to come into the side.
Riccardo Calafiori is back in training and could be given minutes here. Marli Salmon, the 16-year-old defender, will also hope to be involved in some capacity.
In midfield, Christian Norgaard should come into the side considering the suspensions and Eberechi Eze is also expected to get minutes.
Arteta must decide whether to hand Kai Havertz a first start in almost a year. Minutes off the bench could be more likely, which could mean Viktor Gyokeres leads the line.
**Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3):** Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Odegaard, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
**Injured:** Dowman, Saliba, Timber
**Date and time:** 8pm GMT on Wednesday, January 28, 2026