2026-27 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Napoli vs Arsenal

Napoli begin their league phase campaign against last season’s runners-up, Arsenal in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League.

Napoli will look to improve on last season’s exit at this stage where they finished 30th overall, whilst Arsenal come into this season’s edition looking to once again challenge for the title.

 

Team News

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and David Neres are doubts for Napoli after they missed training following their 3-2 Serie A loss at Inter Milan.

Scott McTominay (heart), Alessandro Buongiorno (knee), Giovane (hernia) and Luca Marianucci (MCL) are ruled out.

Arsenal will again be without Cristhian Mosquera after a muscle injury kept him out of their 2-1 comeback Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Jurrien Timber (groin) could feature but William Saliba (back) remains ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Napoli host Arsenal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday 9 September at 9pm CEST (8pm BST), live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Napoli have won one of their two previous Champions League meetings against Arsenal (W1, L1).
• Arsenal lost 2-0 in their only previous Champions League trip to Napoli in December 2013 (L1).
• In Napoli’s two previous Champions League meetings against Arsenal, the team playing at home won by a 2-0 result.
• In last season’s league phase, seven of Napoli’s eight points were earned at home (W2, D1, L1).
• Arsenal conceded just one goal in their four away league-phase fixtures last season (W4), during which they scored 11 goals.

 

Prediction

Despite having unexpectedly crashed out at this stage last season, Napoli’s home form was strong but they are coming into this match off the back of two consecutive domestic defeats which is a concern defensively but there is no doubting their attacking threat.

Arsenal meanwhile can’t afford to be as initially sluggish as they were at kick-off against Chelsea but they did well to regroup and complete a comeback, albeit with excellent saves from David Raya but this is a nice immediate test of their Champions League credentials.

As much as I expect Napoli to pose a tough test, I just think that Arsenal will have too much quality for their Italian hosts to cope with.

Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Arsenal