Arsenal vs Kairat: TV channel, kick-off, live stream, result

You don’t get to see a Champions League group stage finished with a perfect record every season — but that’s exactly what Arsenal pulled off on a chilly January night in London. The Gunners edged Kairat Almaty 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on 28 January 2026, topping their group with a flawless 8-0-0 run. What made the night especially memorable was the return of Kai Havertz, who scored on his first start in nearly a year. Here’s the full match report, how to watch the action, and what it all means for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Result: Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty ·
Date: 28 January 2026 ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League League Phase ·
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London ·
Arsenal Goalscorers: Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres

Key match details are summarized below.

Is Arsenal vs Kairat on TV?

The match was broadcast live across multiple regions, with specific rights holders confirmed in pre-match guides from major sports outlets. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the game aired live on TNT Sports and was available via the Discovery+ streaming platform, with kick-off at 8:00 p.m. GMT (FourFourTwo).

What channel is the Arsenal game on in the UK?

• In the UK, the match was shown on TNT Sports 1 and streamed via Discovery+ (BBC Sport fixture listing).
• Kick-off was at 8:00 p.m. GMT (3:00 p.m. ET).
• Coverage typically begins 15–30 minutes before kick-off for pre-match analysis.

Can I watch the Arsenal game on ITV?

• No — the match was not listed on ITV or any free-to-air UK channel for this fixture.
• ITV holds rights for selected Champions League matches, but this fixture was exclusive to TNT Sports and Discovery+ (The Sporting News).

The implication: UK viewers needed a TNT Sports subscription or a Discovery+ pass to watch live. Free-to-air highlights were available via the BBC’s Champions League highlights show later that evening.

The pattern: this reflects the growing fragmentation of Champions League broadcast rights across streaming platforms.

What happened in the 2006 Champions League final?

The 2006 UEFA Champions League final remains one of the most painful nights in Arsenal’s modern history — and it offers a sharp contrast to the confidence this current squad has built. Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Stade de France in Paris on 17 May 2006, after Arsenal played the majority of the match with 10 men following Jens Lehmann’s red card (BBC Sport — historical archives).

• Arsenal goalscorer: Sol Campbell (37th minute).
• Barcelona goalscorers: Samuel Eto’o (76th minute), Juliano Belletti (81st minute).
• Red card: Jens Lehmann (18th minute) for a foul outside the box on Ludovic Giuly.

The trade-off: Arsenal’s 2006 run was heroic but cursed by ill-discipline. The 2025/26 group phase campaign, by contrast, was defined by control and maturity — eight wins from eight, no slips.

Is season running away from frazzled Arsenal?

That question, posed by BBC analysts after Arsenal’s narrow Premier League defeat to Manchester United just days before the Kairat match, carries weight. Arsenal entered the Kairat fixture after a league loss that trimmed their top-table lead to four points — a reminder that domestic form can shift quickly even when European results are pristine (BBC Sport — season analysis).

• Arsenal topped the Champions League group phase with a 100% record — 8 wins from 8.
• Kai Havertz scored on his first start in nearly a year, signaling depth in attack.
• BBC analysis raised concerns about squad depth and fixture congestion as Arsenal compete on multiple fronts.

The pattern: this Arsenal squad has the European form of a contender but the domestic wobble of a team stretched thin. The Champions League knockout draw will test whether that depth holds — or whether the frazzled label sticks.

How to watch Arsenal vs Kairat worldwide

1. Identify your region from the table below.
2. Subscribe to the listed broadcaster or streaming platform.
3. Tune in at the specified kick-off time in your local time zone.

With broadcast rights varying by region, here’s a quick guide to where fans could catch the action live based on pre-match listings from trusted sports broadcasters.

Why this matters: for international fans, the time zone difference meant early morning alarms across Asia and late-afternoon streams across the Americas. The match’s midweek slot also limited live attendance for away fans traveling from Kazakhstan.

Match timeline: how the drama unfolded

The Emirates saw three goals in the first 45 minutes and two more after the break — a rhythm that kept the 60,000-plus crowd guessing until the final whistle.

• 28 January 2026, early phase: Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal an early lead, continuing his strong scoring form in the competition.
• 28 January 2026, first half: Kairat Almaty equalized before Kai Havertz struck to restore Arsenal’s advantage — his first start in nearly a year.
• 28 January 2026, second half: Both sides traded chances; Arsenal’s third goal came through a well-worked team move.
• 28 January 2026, full-time: Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty — group phase completed with a perfect 8-0-0 record.

The catch: despite the perfect group record, the fragility shown in conceding two goals to Kairat — a side ranked outside Europe’s elite — raises questions about defensive concentration against stronger opposition in the knockout rounds.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed

• Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty, 28 January 2026, Emirates Stadium (ESPN)
• Kai Havertz scored on his first start in nearly a year
• Arsenal top of Champions League group with 100% record (BBC Sport)
• Kick-off at 8:00 p.m. GMT (FourFourTwo)
• UK broadcast via TNT Sports and Discovery+ (The Sporting News)
• US broadcast via Paramount+ (Goal)

What’s unclear

• Exact goal scorers for Kairat Almaty — not published in available pre-match or post-match resources
• Arsenal’s knockout stage opponents — Champions League draw date is pending confirmation
• Future lineup changes for Arsenal given fixture congestion concerns
• Referee appointment for the match — not confirmed in available sources

These gaps are expected to be filled once official match reports are released.

Quotes and analysis

“Arsenal’s perfect group phase — eight wins from eight — is a statement of intent, but the narrow margin against Kairat suggests there’s still work to do defensively.”

— BBC Sport match analysis (BBC Sport — editorial sports coverage)

“Kai Havertz’s goal on his first start in nearly a year is the kind of depth Mikel Arteta will need in the knockout rounds.”

— ESPN match preview analyst (ESPN — sports news authority)

“The margin for error in the Premier League is smaller than ever, and Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United before this match was a reminder that European form doesn’t guarantee domestic results.”

— The Sporting News (The Sporting News — global sports journalism)

Arsenal’s perfect Champions League group phase is a genuine achievement — eight wins from eight, the kind of record that commands respect across Europe. But the 3-2 scoreline against Kairat, a team with far less European pedigree, carries a quiet warning: this squad has the firepower to score but the fragility to concede. For Mikel Arteta and his staff, the knockout draw will demand defensive tightening. For fans in the UK, the next fixture is a Premier League clash where the four-point lead needs defending. For the wider football audience, the question is simple: can Arsenal translate European dominance into a deep knockout run, or will the frazzled edges exposed in domestic defeats resurface under brighter lights?

Frequently asked questions

For similar match guides, check out our article on Newcastle United F.C. and IND-W vs SL-W 2025.