ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat Almaty delivered a spirited performance but fell just short in a dramatic 3:2 defeat to Arsenal in their final match of the UEFA Champions League league stage on Jan. 28 in London.

Chelsea and Arsenal learn their potential knockout stage opponents in the Champions League after the league phase, highlighted by dramatic matches and upsets.

Arsenal clinched a crucial Champions League advantage by finishing top of the league phase, benefiting from a new UEFA rule change ahead of the knockout rounds.

The Gunners raced out of the blocks and Gyokeres' goal after one minute and 42 seconds was Arsenal's earliest UCL strike since Yaya Sanogo netted against Borussia Dortmund in 2014, after one minute an

Having suffered a major blow in the Premier League title race, Arsenal hope to turn around their form and reignite their trophy chase as they close out the league phase of Champions League play at home against Kairat Almaty.

Who will Arsenal face in Champions League last-16 knockout stage? - Gunners cruised through the league phase as table-toppers with 100 per cent winning record

A recent UEFA rule change has handed Arsenal a huge advantage in the knockout stages of the 2025/26 Champions League, which the other Premier League sides that progressed from the league phase will not have.

We pore over the pick of the facts and stats from another league phase of firsts and landmarks in the UEFA Champions League.

UEFA Champions League Match Highlights (1/28) - Scoreline