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Kai Havertz returns to the starting XI for the first time in almost a year as we face Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League at Emirates Stadium.
The German international last started a competitive match in February 2025 against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. This season, he has featured as a substitute in games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Portsmouth, making tonight’s inclusion a significant milestone in his comeback.
Captain and Key Changes
Ben White captains the side this evening, one of 11 changes made by Mikel Arteta for the European fixture.
Kepa Arrizabalaga makes his first Champions League start for the club, while Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori line up in defence alongside White. Calafiori returns after missing recent action due to an injury sustained during the warm-up ahead of last month’s Brighton match.
Midfield and Attack
Christian Nørgaard anchors the midfield, joined by Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze.
Up front, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli complete the attacking trio. Martinelli arrives in fine European form, having scored five goals in six Champions League appearances this season.
Academy Presence on the Bench
There is strong academy representation among the substitutes, with four homegrown players included:
- Ife Ibrahim
- Brando Bailey-Joseph
- Jack Porter
- Marli Salmon
They are joined by several senior names, including Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.
Opposition Update: Kairat Almaty
Kairat Almaty make two changes from their recent defeat to Club Brugge. Adilet Sadybekov comes into midfield in place of Damir Kasabulat, while Alexandr Shirobokov slots into a back three. Attacker Valery Gromyko drops to the bench.
Starting Line-ups
Arsenal
Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard, Eze, Havertz; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyökeres
Substitutes:
Setford, Porter, Gabriel, Salmon, Hincapié, Zubimendi, Ibrahim, Ødegaard, Bailey-Joseph, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Kairat Almaty
Anerbekov; Shirobokov, Martynovich, Sorokin; Tapalov, Glazer, Sadybekov, Mata; Mrynskiy, Edmilson, Monteiro
Substitutes:
Buch, Kalmurza, Kasabulat, Kurgin, Stanojev, Gromyko, Bagdat, Ricardinho
