Arsenal Spanish head coach, Mikel Arteta, has spoken to the press ahead of the UCL final League Phase clash between the Gunners and Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night.
Arteta described the Kazakhstan Premier League Champions as a “very tough” side; and said, they are “used to winning”.
The English Premier League toppers are heading into the match with a 100% record in the tournament, winning all seven (7) games and amassing twenty-one (21) points, while, Kairat Almaty are fielding as the bottom club, they sit on the 36th spot of the table with just one (1) point.
Arteta disclosed, defenders, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, will be missing in action when Arsenal lock horns with Kairat Almaty on Wednesday 28 January, 2026 at Emirates Stadium, North London at 21:00 (WAT).
On the defeat to much-improved Manchester United, currently led by Michael Carrick on interim basis, the Spaniard said, the outcome was “encouraging and beautiful”.
He added, Arsenal are sitting comfortably in a “great position” in all competitions, and said with confidence that, his side will “live and play with enjoyment” in the next four (4) months.
According to arsenal.com, at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said:
On Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United:
“The reaction has been excellent. We took a moment to bring the temperature down, to pause, to reflect and ask two questions. One is how do we feel, and how do I feel myself, and then how we want to live the next four months. It was so encouraging and beautiful.
“We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions, and in the next four months we’re going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we’re going to win it.
“I’m just hoping that our supporters jump on that boat.”
His message to supporters:
“That’s why I encouraged them to jump in this boat because it’s going to be fun, because the excitement, that conviction, that energy, that will, is the way you have to live when you want to achieve a dream, when you want to achieve something that you play for 10 months, because out of that, a lot of incredible things are going to emerge.”
Availability of Saliba and Timber:
“No, those are not.”
On whether Saliba and Timber agree injured or being rested:
“No, they have some niggles and it’s a good opportunity now that we make a different kind of work with them to get them in the best possible conditions so that we can help them.”
Reason for shortage of goals:
“Obviously the level of efficiency that we showed in certain actions, it hasn’t helped to raise those numbers higher.
“Some others because we need to produce probably more for them as well. So it’s a combination of different factors. But it’s a positive way to look at it; even without this, look where we are.”
On Kairat Almaty:
“Well, obviously, it’s the Champions League, so every opponent is very tough because they are very used to winning.
“Looking back at the games that they played against Real Madrid or Inter, for example, I watched both of them. They make it very, very difficult for them. So tomorrow we expect a very similar game. We have to be at our best.”
Arsenal lost 2-3 to Manchester United in the Premier League 2025/26 match on Sunday 25 January, 2026 right inside the Emirates Stadium.
Photo: Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, hails his side after a match
