Napoli v Arsenal: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

UEFA Champions League, League Stage – 1

Napoli NAP

9/09/2026 20:00

Arsenal ARS

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

G. Nyberg

Preview for Napoli v Arsenal

Arsenal begin their latest bid for Champions League glory on Wednesday evening when they travel to Napoli for their opening League Phase fixture.

The Gunners have made a perfect start to the 2026-27 season under Mikel Arteta, while Napoli head into the clash looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Arsenal made it four wins from four in all competitions this season, with the Gunners scoring nine goals and conceding just once during that run.

Napoli, meanwhile, have endured a much more difficult start.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side opened their Serie A campaign with a 2-0 win away at Genoa, but they have since lost consecutive matches against Como and Inter Milan.

The first of those defeats came at home, with Cesc Fabregas’s Como winning 2-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli then surrendered a two-goal lead against Inter on Saturday. Matteo Politano and Rasmus Hojlund had put the visitors ahead early in the second half, but Inter fought back to win 3-2 after Lautaro Martinez struck in the 91st minute.

Napoli have won just two of their last 10 Champions League matches and have lost their last three against English opposition in the competition.

Arsenal also have positive memories of facing Napoli, having won both legs of their 2018-19 Europa League quarter-final.

The two clubs previously met in the 2013-14 Champions League group stage, with both sides winning once. Arteta featured in the Arsenal side that lost 2-0 in Naples.

The UEFA Champions League Table

UEFA Champions League 2026

World

League Phase

#	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Last 4
1	AEK Athens FC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W D
2	Arsenal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Aston Villa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Atletico Madrid	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Borussia Dortmund	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Barcelona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Bayern München	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Bodo/Glimt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W W W D
9	Club Brugge KV	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Como	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Fenerbahçe	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W D W W
12	Feyenoord	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
13	Galatasaray	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Inter	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	Lask Linz	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W L
16	RB Leipzig	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
17	Lens	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
18	Lille	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	Liverpool	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
20	Manchester City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
21	Manchester United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
22	Napoli	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
23	Paris Saint Germain	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
24	FC Porto	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
25	PSV Eindhoven	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
26	Real Betis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
27	Real Madrid	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
28	AS Roma	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
29	Slovan Bratislava	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W D W W
30	Sabah FA	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W L W L
31	Shakhtar Donetsk	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
32	Slavia Praha	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
33	Sporting CP	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
34	VfB Stuttgart	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
35	Viking	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	W D
36	Villarreal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

• Position 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 : Play Offs

Team News for Napoli v Arsenal

Arsenal came through Sunday’s win over Chelsea without any major fresh injury concerns.

Cristhian Mosquera missed that game after suffering a muscular problem against Aston Villa and remains a doubt for Wednesday’s trip to Naples.

Jurrien Timber is also unlikely to be fit enough to start as he continues to recover from a groin problem, while William Saliba remains sidelined with a serious back injury.

Bruno Guimaraes was fit enough to make the bench against Chelsea after overcoming a minor issue, but Martin Zubimendi could be preferred in central midfield if Arteta decides to make changes.

Napoli will be without Scott McTominay, who is expected to miss around a month after being ruled out for a minor heart operation to treat a mild arrhythmia.

Central defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci are also unavailable with knee injuries, while young striker Giovane is sidelined with a hernia problem.

Kevin De Bruyne has made an impact from the bench this season but has yet to start for Napoli.

Expected line-ups for Napoli v Arsenal

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

Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz

Recent Form & Stats for Napoli v Arsenal

• Arsenal have won all four of their competitive matches so far this season.
• The Gunners have scored nine goals and conceded just one across those four games.
• Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last nine European matchday one fixtures, winning seven.
• Arsenal were unbeaten in normal time across all 15 of their Champions League matches last season.
• Napoli have won just two of their last 10 Champions League matches.
• Napoli have lost their last three Champions League matches against English opposition.

Where to Watch Napoli v Arsenal: TV and online streams

Napoli v Arsenal will be available to watch live on TNT Sports in the UK, with supporters also able to follow the Champions League fixture on HBO Max.

The match takes place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.

Prediction for Napoli v Arsenal

Napoli’s recent defensive problems could cause them further trouble against an Arsenal side that has looked comfortable at both ends of the pitch during the opening weeks of the season.

The absence of McTominay is another blow for Allegri, while Arsenal have plenty of options in midfield and attack even if Arteta makes changes.

Match Prediction

Napoli

1 – 2

Arsenal