Napoli vs Arsenal: Champions League – prediction, teams, lineups | Football
Napoli Faces Midfield Challenges Ahead of Champions League Opener Against Arsenal
Published on September 8, 2026
Napoli will encounter significant midfield challenges as they prepare to face Arsenal in their UEFA Champions League opener at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples on Wednesday at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). The Italian side aims to reclaim their winning form after struggling in Serie A.
Arsenal and Napoli, both league champions in their respective competitions—the Premier League and Serie A—are set to clash in what promises to be an exciting start to their Champions League campaigns. Last season, Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for an English top-flight title and reached the Champions League final, where they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain. Napoli, meanwhile, lost their title to Inter Milan and will be eager to prove their squad’s capabilities on the European stage once more.
Massimiliano Allegri, who succeeded Antonio Conte as head coach, emphasized the importance of securing points for qualification in the group stage. “We need to get 12 points to secure qualification,” Allegri remarked. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Arsenal, highlighting their recent success in the Premier League and defensive organization under manager Mikel Arteta. Allegri also reflected on his own finals experience, stating, “I had the fortune of [coaching] in two finals but I lost both of them.”
Napoli is currently on a two-match losing streak in Serie A, having suffered defeats to Como and Inter Milan, including a 3-2 loss to Inter last weekend.
As for Arsenal, they have begun their campaign on a strong note, winning their first four matches. Their season commenced with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, followed by league wins against Coventry, Aston Villa, and Chelsea. The Gunners have scored nine goals while conceding only one, establishing themselves as early favorites in the Champions League competition.
In terms of squad availability, Napoli will be without Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for their opener. McTominay recently underwent successful surgery for an irregular heartbeat, while Anguissa is dealing with a physical issue. Allegri indicated that the midfield lineup will likely feature Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, and Antonio Vergara.
Arsenal will miss Cristhian Mosquera due to a muscular injury, while Jurrien Timber continues to recover from a groin injury and may be available for the bench. William Saliba remains sidelined with a back issue, though Bruno Guimaraes, an unused substitute last weekend, is nearing full fitness.
This match marks the fifth meeting between the teams, with Arsenal winning three of the previous encounters and Napoli taking one victory. The Opta supercomputer gives Arsenal a 52 percent chance of winning, while Napoli has a 22 percent chance.
Follow the match live on Al Jazeera Sport, with build-up coverage starting at 4 p.m. GMT.
