Napoli vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

Arsenal begin their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a trip to face Serie A side Napoli on Wednesday evening.

The Gunners came from behind to defeat London rivals Chelsea 2-1 last time out as brilliantly taken goals by Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard turned the tie on its head in North London and continued their side's perfect start to the season.

Napoli appear to have stumbled in the opening weeks of the new term having lost in their previous two matches. Despite starting the campaign well with a 2-0 victory over Genoa, they have since fell to Como and Inter Milan.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can go one better than last season's attempt as they look to build on reaching the final of the 2025/26 Champions League by winning Europe's premier competition. This game could be the start of an historic journey, but Napoli stand in the way as they too aim to improve their contiental credentials.

Here's our preview of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Napoli.

Napoli vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Napoli vs Arsenal kick off?

Napoli vs Arsenal kicks off on Wednesday 9 September at 20:00 BST.

• When is kick off? Wednesday 9 September, 2026
• What time is kick off? 20:00 BST
• Where is it played? Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
• Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

Napoli vs Arsenal head-to-head record

Napoli vs Arsenal every meeting

How to watch Napoli vs Arsenal

Napoli team news

Scott McTominay is set for a spell on the sidelines following successful heart surgery, meaning he won't be available for the clash with Arsenal.

Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci will also be absent due to injuries that saw them omitted from Massimiliano Allegri's league phase squad.

Kevin De Bruyne will be keen to make his first start of the season having been reduced to a substitute role so far, and he could have his eyes on taking Antonio Vergara's spot in the midfield.

Predicted Napoli lineup vs Arsenal: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Marin, Rrahmani, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Anguissa; Politano, Hojlund, Santos

Arsenal team news

Arsenal managed to come away from their victory over Chelsea with no fresh injuries, but Cristhian Mosquera was absent from the squad against the Blues so he is not a certainty for Italy. Regardless of his availability, Ezri Konsa will likely start in defence following an impressive first start.

Bruno Guimarães was named among the substitutes on Sunday, but didn't come off the bench so could be in line for some minutes in Naples. Jurrien Timber may join him as he edges closer to a return, but Mikel Arteta will likely take precaution in bringing him back to action.

There is a possibility that Arteta alters his side slightly, but with his team doing well so far in the league, there is a strong backing for him to continue with the same XI.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Napoli: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Ødegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Havertz; Tzolis

Napoli vs Arsenal score prediction

With their defensive approach, Italian sides typically pose a problem for foreign opposition and Allegri's Napoli will be no different as they come up against an Arsenal side accused by many of taking the same approach.

However, Arteta's side seemed to show a willingness to play much more attacking football in Europe last season and it is highly likely they will do so once again this campaign, which should see them sneak the result in Naples.

It will certainly be a tight game with Napoli likely to keep the Gunners at bay, but Arsenal should manage to take the win and start their league phase campaign in winning fashion.

Prediction: Napoli 0-1 Arsenal

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