Viktor Gyokeres returns in attack for Arsenal against Kairat
Arsenal Football Newsletter
It is a dead rubber for the Gunners, who have already wrapped up a top-two finish with seven straight wins ahead of their final league phase match.
As a result, Mikel Arteta will surely be eyeing Saturday's trip to Leeds as the priority this week, and his team selection suggests that that is the case.
Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are not involved against Kairat, having picked up bookings in the win over Inter Milan that mean they are suspended.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both missed training on Tuesday and Arteta confirmed the pair will miss the match with "some niggles".
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal, as he has done in the cup competitions all season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White come into the side.
Riccardo Calafiori is back in training and is given minutes here. Marli Salmon, the 16-year-old defender, will also hope to be involved in some capacity having been named on the bench.
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In midfield, Christian Norgaard comes into the side considering the suspensions and Eberechi Eze starts alongside him, with Kai Havertz in the midfield three as he returns to the matchday squad, earning his first start in a year.
Viktor Gyokeres returns in the No9 position, with Gabriel Jesus off the bench.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.
Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Eze, Havertz; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Subs: Setford, Porter, Gabriel, Salmon, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Ibrahim, Odegaard, Bailey-Joseph, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Injured: Dowman, Saliba, Timber
Suspended: Rice, Merino
Date and time: 8pm GMT today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
How to watch: TNT Sports