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Napoli vs Arsenal Team News and Predicted Lineups for September 9

Napoli vs Arsenal: 25th November 2023 Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London, England Premier League Football, Brentford versus Arsenal Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal

Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Napoli vs Arsenal Champions League fixture at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples on September 9. The Gunners will look to go one step further and win this season’s competition after agonisingly losing to Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s final. Napoli look set to field some familiar names in their starting XI, with Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund expected to start.

Champions League: Team News and Predicted Lineups for Napoli vs Arsenal

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples.

Kick-off: 20:00 GMT.

Last meeting: Napoli 0-1 Arsenal (April 18, 2019).

Referee: Glenn Nyberg.

Current odds: Arsenal 8/13, Napoli 9/2, Draw 14/5.

Read More: UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Predictions Including Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid

Napoli Team News

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the visit of Arsenal having undergone a successful procedure to correct a heart arrhythmia. Napoli have confirmed, “The surgery was perfectly ‌successful.” Ahead of this opening Champions League fixture, Napoli gaffer Massimiliano Allegri gave the latest team news:

“There will be no change in formation. Unfortunately, we won’t have McTominay, who underwent surgery this morning, or Anguissa, who has an adductor problem. For Neres, we’ll assess tomorrow morning whether he’ll be available.”

Discussing his midfield options, Allegri said: “I have four midfielders; three will play…” He then revealed a little more: “De Bruyne is an extraordinary player: he missed the first three games, and tomorrow he will most likely be involved.”

Arsenal Training, Champions League Martin Zubimendi and Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Arsenal Training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round 1 match v Napoli, at the Arsenal FC Training Centre, London Colney, England on 8 September 2026

IMAGO / Every Second Media

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta’s pre-match presser was cancelled due to air traffic control problems that disrupted flights across the UK. However, in the build-up to the match, Arteta spoke about the beginning of a new Champions League campaign:

“I’m really excited,” Arteta said. “We know what this competition means to all of us, the experience of last year as well, so we need to start with the first game in a really, really tough place, but really excited to start the campaign.

“Start well tomorrow; that’s the only thing we can do. Start by putting in a big performance tomorrow to increase the probability of winning the game.”

Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt for the trip to Naples, while William Saliba remains a long-term absentee. Jurrien Timber appears to be nearing a return, which will be a boost for Arteta.

Read More: Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough: Team News and Confirmed Lineups

Napoli Predicted Lineup

Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Badiashile, Spinnazzola, Lobotka, Gilmour, De Bruyne, Neres, Alisson Santos, Hojlund.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Saka, Odegaard, Eze, Havertz.

The Last Word: Prediction for Napoli vs Arsenal

Naples is never an easy place to go, and Arsenal will likely have to absorb pressure at points during this game, but their start to the season so far is not spectacular, but they have shown that defensive solidarity, which was the basis for most of their success last season. Havertz looks sharp, while Tzolis and others have shown flashes so far. We believe the Gunners have too much for Napoli, and will start their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a win.

Prediction: 0-2.