Napoli vs Arsenal: UEFA Champions League, Matchweek 1 Preview
Arsenal make the trip to southwest Italy to take on Napoli in what is billed as a mouth-watering tie in the opening matchweek of the UEFA Champions League. Both sides will be fired up to get off to a good start to the competition and showcase their European credentials.
Arsenal will be full of confidence after a well-deserved 2-1 win against local rivals Chelsea at home in the Premier League as they maintained their 100 percent record.
Meanwhile Napoli have had an indifferent start to their Serie A campaign with one win and two defeats in the opening three games. They suffered defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro when Lautaro Martinez’s late strike gave the Italian champions all three points.
The Gli Azzurri will be eager to respond and put on a good performance in front of their fans at the hostile Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and make it as difficult for the away side as possible.
The Gunners will be hoping to go one step further this year and lift their first ever Champions League trophy after losing out in the final against PSG last season, while Napoli will be at least aiming for the knockout stages after failing to get out of the league phase.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Team News
Arsenal
French international centre back William Saliba remains a long-term absentee with a back injury, but staff remain positive regarding his development and progression.
Full back Jurrien Timber was pictured in open training with the squad and may be named in the matchday squad.
Christian Mosquera missed the Chelsea fixture with a muscle strain picked up in the win against Aston Villa. Ezri Konsa will be expected to retain his place if the Spanish defender is unfit.
Bruno Guimaraes overcame a knock he picked up against Villa to make the bench against Chelsea, although he was an unused substitute. He could be in line for his first start for his new club.
Napoli
Scott McTominay is due to be out for a month with a minor heart issue as he recovers from treatment for mild arrhythmia.
Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci are both sidelined with knee injuries.
Young forward Giovane Nascimento is unavailable following surgery on a hernia injury.
Likely Line-ups
Arsenal
Raya; White, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Tzolis, Havertz
Napoli
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Lang
Key Players
Arsenal - Martin Odegaard
The Norway international and captain has got off to a fine start this season and is starting to look like the player that many dubbed as one of the best in the Premier League from 2022-2024.
There is no doubt his loss of form over the last two seasons has been correlated with consistent injuries and being unable to gain rhythm on the pitch. But after a fine FIFA World Cup in which he led Norway to the quarter finals, he has returned to his club with a fresh energy and renewed vigour.
After putting on a dynamic display in the FA Community Shield, where he was named player of the match with a display of flow and control, he followed that up with a goal against Coventry City and a player of the match display and the winning goal against Chelsea with 93.6 percent passing accuracy and with four chances created.
Mikel Arteta likes to build up play from the back with control and dictate the flow and pace of games, and with his captain looking like returning to top form, he will be key to any of Arsenal’s success this season.
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Napoli – Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian has been predicted to make his first start of the season, looking to replace young midfielder Antonio Vergara. Kevin De Bruyne will be very familiar with Arsenal, having faced them multiple times during his stint at Manchester City.
The midfield maestro has 12 goal and assist involvements in 16 appearances in the Premier League against the north London side. His experience will be crucial to help aid his side to victory on Wednesday night.
With Scott McTominay sidelined through injury, Napoli will rely on De Bruyne’s vision, creativity and technical brilliance to try and pierce a stubborn Arsenal backline which has conceded one goal this season.
Rasmus Hojlund will rely on De Bruyne’s creative brilliance and output to try and breach Arsenal’s centre backs. Arsenal have an xG against of only 0.98 this season, and on Wednesday night chances might be few and far between, so the delivery into the box will need to be accurate to help with chance creation.
Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli SSC in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
This game is being played at the home of Napoli, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with a capacity of 54,726.
What time is kick off?
Kick off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 9th September 2026.
How can I watch?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match on TNT Sports. Highlights will be made available on YouTube and Match of the Day at 22:40.