Arsenal begin their Champions League quest with a tricky test against Napoli as Mikel Arteta’s side look to go one better than last year.
The Premier League winners so nearly completed a double with success in Europe in May, falling short in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. The challenge now is to improve again for another continental trophy tilt – and while they may have missed out on a marquee forward, Arteta certainly has plenty of strength and depth at his disposal as they embark on a new European campaign.
Things are unlikely to be straightforward in Naples, though, particularly after travel chaos delayed Arsenal’s arrival in the city. The hosts may have made a slow start in Serie A, and be without Scott McTominay due to a heart issue, but the visitors can expect a hostile reception and a strong Napoli side.
Follow all of the latest from the Champions League clash with our live blog below:
Napoli team news
And here’s how Napoli line up this evening.
As we knew, there’s no Scott McTominay due to his heart issue but names such as Kevin De Bruyne, Rasmus Hojlund and Billy Gilmour will be familiar.
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson
Luke Baker9 September 2026 19:16
Napoli v Arsenal
An hour until kick-off
Luke Baker9 September 2026 19:03
Arsenal team news
And here it is – Arsenal’s line-up for this evening.
Despite reports, Jurrien Timber isn’t fit enough to make the squad yet. There is one change in defence however as Piero Hincapie starts at left-back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori.
Viktor Gyokeres is preferred up front to Kai Havertz, Eberechi starts on the left and Mikel Merino is in the heart of midfield.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Luke Baker9 September 2026 18:51
Team news imminent
We’re only a couple of minutes away from finding out the teams for this evening
Luke Baker9 September 2026 18:44
Arsenal have three nominees for Ballon d’Or
The nominees for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or have been released this week and Arsenal are well represented.
Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are all up for the prestigious award, with Bayern Munich and England superstar Harry Kane the favourite to win it.
Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are both in the running for the women’s Ballon d’Or, while David Raya is on the list for men’s goalkeeper of the year, Mikel Arteta is shortlisted for men’s coach of the year and Arsenal themselves are also up for men’s club of the year.
You can see a full list of nominees here
Luke Baker9 September 2026 18:38
LAST TIME OUT: The Arsenal machine found a new gear against Chelsea – that spells trouble for rivals
So, have Arsenal taken a step forward since that final defeat to PSG? It’s hard to say but victory over Chelsea at the weekend suggested they may have.
Miguel Delaney believes the Gunners machine has found another level now:
The Arsenal machine found a new gear against Chelsea – that spells trouble for rivals
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Morgan Rogers stunned the Gunners with an early goal, but the reigning Premier League champions hit back in style to lay down an early title markerLuke Baker9 September 2026 18:30
The changes Arsenal must make to take the next step after Champions League final defeat
It was so close, yet so far for Arsenal last season in their quest to win a maiden Champions League crown. Having made it all the way to the final, they were bested by PSG, who made it back-to-back titles.
Shortly after that final, Miguel Delaney analysed what the Gunners need to do in order to get over the line in Europe’s premier competition.
The changes Arsenal must make to take next step after Champions League final defeat
More attacking potency is a must for Arsenal, even if they were successful in frustrating PSG in BudapestLuke Baker9 September 2026 18:19
Why Scott McTominay won’t be playing this evening
Napoli and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay won’t feature this evening after successfully undergoing corrective surgery following the diagnosis of a minor heart issue.
The 29-year-old former Manchester United player was found to have a mild benign arrhythmia, an irregular heart rhythm considered non-serious that presents no significant danger to his overall health.
Having travelled to Manchester for the operation on Tuesday, he is set for a fortnight on the sidelines.
A statement from the Italian club confirmed: “On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success.
“McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”
Luke Baker9 September 2026 18:10
Napoli v Arsenal
A couple of hours until kick-off. The calm before the storm at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
Luke Baker9 September 2026 18:00
Arsenal caught up in airport travel chaos ahead of Champions League opener against Napoli
Arsenal’s press conference ahead of their Champions League opener away to Napoli was cancelled after the team’s flight was delayed by air traffic control issues in the UK.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had been due to speak to journalists in Naples on Tuesday evening, alongside defender Riccardo Calafiori.
But with widespread disruption at UK airports following a technical failure with the air traffic control system, the pre-match media was scrapped.
Arsenal’s squad remained at the club training ground during the delay before leaving for the airport.
Due to the disruption, they did not arrive in Naples until around 9.30pm local time (8.30pm BST).
Luke Baker9 September 2026 17:53NewerOlder