Arsenal face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League tonight with a chance to complete a perfect league phase and strengthen their claim as contenders backed to win the trophy this season.
The Gunners can finish the league phase with a perfect record if they win at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the table after seven wins from seven matches.
No team has ever won all eight league-phase games in the Champions League while also winning each match by two or more goals. Arsenal are now one result away from doing just that.
They secured a top-two finish last week with a strong 3-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro.
That victory confirmed home advantage in the second leg of the knockout rounds and allowed Arteta to approach tonight’s game with freedom. The manager can rotate his squad while still keeping standards high.
Kairat’s tough European test
Kairat Almaty arrive in north London at the opposite end of the table. The Kazakh champions sit bottom with one point from seven games, earned in a goalless draw against Pafos.
This is their first appearance in the league phase, and they have struggled to cope with elite opposition.
However, their journey to this stage deserves respect. Kairat knocked Celtic out on penalties in the qualifiers and went on to win the Kazakhstan Premier League and Super Cup last season.
Their domestic campaign ended months ago, meaning these European fixtures are their only competitive matches.
The visitors have travelled more than 3,400 miles from Almaty and bring a squad that blends local talent with overseas players.
One moment from their campaign captured attention when a Kairat player celebrated a consolation goal against Club Brugge despite a heavy defeat. It underlined how much this competition means to the club and their country.
Arsenal come into the match after a 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League. That defeat cut their lead at the top to four points and dented momentum domestically. Still, European form tells a different story.
Expert praises Arsenal
European football expert Kevin Hatchard shared his view on Arsenal’s campaign during talkSPORT’s Daily podcast ahead of the match.
“They have been the best team in the Champions League so far, I think that’s fair to say,” Hatchard said.
“They were able to power their way past Bayern, which I thought was a really good result.”
He pointed to Arsenal’s defensive strength as the key factor.
“Arsenal, defensively, makes me think they can. I still think defensively they’re the best team in Europe,” he added.
“When I say defensive quality, it’s not just William Saliba and Gabriel. It’s the fact that as a team out of possession, they’re incredibly difficult to break down.”
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Asked if Arsenal could slip up against Kairat, Hatchard was clear.
“No.”
He expects the Gunners to complete a perfect run, even with rotation.
“Even if Arteta makes wholesale changes, I would still expect them to win the game. So, I think it’s going to be eight out of eight for Arsenal.”
With kick-off approaching, Arsenal have a chance to send another strong message. The aim is simple: build momentum, protect key players, and move into the knockouts with belief firmly intact.