Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal to improve further after ‘exceptional performance’ against Chelsea
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Mikel Arteta has plenty of key decisions to make for Arsenal's opening Champions League match against Napoli this evening.
The Gunners won all eight of their league phase matches last season and were not beaten in 90 minutes across the whole competition.
They took Paris Saint-Germain to a penalty shootout in the final in Budapest, only to fall just short.
The bid to go one better begins in Naples on Wednesday night and Arteta is likely to opt for changes and make use of his incredibly strong squad.
Bruno Guimaraes did not play a minute against Chelsea in Arsenal's last match after carrying a knock and so Martin Zubimendi could come into the midfield instead.
Further forward, Eberechi Eze will hope to get his chance on the left wing and Viktor Gyokeres could be handed a first start of the season if Arteta opts to manage Kai Havertz's minutes.
There are more limited options for Arteta in defence, where injury concerns persist.
Opportunity: Viktor Gyokeres could start for Arsenal against Napoli in the Champions League
William Saliba remains a long-term absentee with a back injury. Jurrien Timber has not played a minute this season but is nearing a return, while Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt due to a muscle problem.
It means Ezri Konsa looks set to start alongside Gabriel, as he did in the win over Chelsea on Sunday.
If there is a change, it is likely to come at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori has been superb in the early weeks of the season but has struggled with injuries in his Arsenal career, so there is likely to be caution with his workload.
Piero Hincapie was Arsenal's only defender on the bench against Chelsea and there is every chance he comes in to start in Naples.
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Arteta will provide a fresh update on the latest Arsenal team news when he speaks at his pre-match press conference in Italy on Tuesday evening.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres
Injured: Saliba
Doubts: Mosquera, Timber
Time and date: 8pm BST on Wednesday September 9, 2026
Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples
How to watch: TNT Sports