Arsenal began their latest bid for Champions League glory with a 1-0 win in Naples on Wednesday night. The Gunners arrived in southern Italy hoping to deliver an early statement victory in this season’s league phase to show there will be no lasting hangover from last year’s agonising final defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta’s side were well worth all three points, but left it late to break the deadlock after missing a host of chances. Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino were all guilty of fluffing their lines in front of goal, leaving captain Martin Odegaard to score the winning goal with an effort that kissed the post before crossing the line.
Napoli, meanwhile, have now suffered three straight defeats across all competitions as pressure starts to build on new manager Max Allegri. Follow Napoli vs Arsenal back below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri.
Napoli vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Odegaard breaks the deadlock late on
Arsenal player ratings
22:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Bukayo Saka 6
Some truly woeful finishing, particularly when clean through just before half-time. Overall game was sharp apart from that but Arsenal expect more from him.
Martin Odegaard 9
Ran the show in another sublime display. Unplayable at times as he skipped around the third, putting chances on a plate. Then got it done himself with a wonderful strike. Majestic.
Eberechi Eze 5
Some bright moments early on, especially when there was space on the break, but decision-making was poor. Faded significantly in the second half before coming off.
Click here for our Arsenal player ratings in full!
Arsenal leave it late
22:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Martin Odegaard continued his fine start to the season, scoring the winning goal to ensure Arsenal were not made to rue a host of missed chances against Napoli.
In last season’s league phase, the Gunners topped the Champions League table with an 100 per cent winning record.
Hopes of repeating this trick this term looked in doubt as Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie and Mikel Merino all missed golden opportunities. However, Odegaard came up with the all-important goal 15 minutes from time as his effort kissed the post before going in.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
FULL-TIME!
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+3 min: NO GOAL!
Havertz converts from close range after Tzolis had an effort saved but the offside flag denies the Gunners a second.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+1 min: Odegaard booked for kicking the ball away.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: FOUR minutes of added on time has been signalled as Arsenal aim to keep the ball away from Napoli.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
89 min: CHANCE!
What an opening for Napoli but De Bruyne elects to pass instead of shooting. Unselfish play but Lucca didn’t read the Belgian’s mind. Was that the chance?
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
86 min: Arsenal playing in the right areas, but while the score remains at 1-0, Napoli are still in this game.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
85 min: Lucca booked for a foul on Konsa.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
84 min: Chance for Arsenal on the break but Madueke can’t finish his chance and then Tzolis is denied on the rebound.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
81 min: Good play from Arsenal as they work the ball from side to side. Space opens up for Guimaraes but he shoots over. Final change sees Zubimendi replace White. That will mean a change at right-back.
Standard Sport's Matt Verri
21:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Nine touches in 73 minutes for Gyokeres, as he comes off. One was a nice cross with the outside of his foot.
Otherwise... not a lot. Nothing in there to push his case to be starting in the league over Havertz.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
77 min: Napoli respond to going a goal down as Neres and Lucca replace Hojlund and Lobotka.
Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: It has taken a while but Arsenal are finally ahead as their dominance pays off with 15 minutes remaining. Great strike from Odegaard, in off the post, after patient play.
GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Arsenal | Martin Odegaard ‘75
21:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
75 min: Martin Odegaard, finally, breaks the deadlock for Arsenal.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
73 min: Arsenal double change sees Madueke and Havertz replace Saka and Gyokeres.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
72 min: Gabriel fouls Favasuli and this will give Napoli the chance to get up the pitch.
Havertz and Madueke are being prepared for Arsenal.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
70 min: Tzolis with an effort that sums up Arsenal’s shooting tonight. High and wide despite being in a very good position.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
68 min: All getting a bit desperate from Arsenal now, they seem to have run out of ideas after all those missed chances.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
65 min: Eze and Merino make way for Tzolis and Guimaraes.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
64 min: A double Arsenal change is being prepared as Favasuli gets to the byline but sends his cross right into Raya’s arms.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: Rice with an attempt that goes over the bar after Gyokeres had done well to pinch the ball back high in the Napoli half. Arsenal change is imminent as Guimaraes is ready to make his return to action.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
60 min: Final ball lets down Napoli once again after doing so well in their defensive shape.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
57 min: Alisson is the player down and he is replaced by Favasuli. Politano also makes way for Vergara. Fresh legs for the home side.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
56 min: Alisson skips past White with ease and sets up a chance for Napoli but De Bruyne makes the wrong pass selection and Hincapie gets a toe on the ball to avert danger. Hosts now have a player down as changes are being prepared.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
55 min: Finally some respite for Napoli as Alisson wins a foul off Rice and Hojlund does the same up against Gabriel.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
53 min: Arsenal have Napoli pushed right back. Every Napoli player is behind the ball, waiting to pounce on a mistake.
Standard Sport's Matt Verri
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This is a remarkable display of bad finishing from Arsenal. The misses might be getting worse too, starting from Merino earlier in the match, then Saka, and now Hincapie. Poor Odegaard should have at least two assists.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
50 min: Great ball from Odegaard over the top for White and he cushions the ball for Hincapie who somehow blazes his effort high and wide. Should score.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
48 min: Whistles from the Napoli supporters as Arsenal settle into a pattern of dominating possession. Still no way through this defence though.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
46 min: News of the half-time change as Meret has been replaced by Milinkovic-Savic. That’s a big blow for Napoli right at the start of the second half.
KICK-OFF!
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in Naples.
There has been a change.
Napoli vs Arsenal highlights
21:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Have a look at some of the best images from the first half at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Fan reaction: Saka miss
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
saka that’s unbelievably poor
— 🧏🏾 (@HawkesAFC) September 9, 2026
Fan thoughts: Arsenal missed chances
20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Some of the worst finishing I’ve seen from Arsenal. Saka and Merino with sitters by their standards, loads of massively wayward long shots.
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) September 9, 2026
Fan reaction: Saka miss
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
These missed chances are so frustrating Saka you simply have to score that
— ۟ (@Bxshhyy) September 9, 2026
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
HALF-TIME
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+1 min: Konsa wins a corner for Arsenal, final chance of the half you would imagine.
Saka takes, Konsa heads it back and White sets the ball back to Hincapie but his effort is tame.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Into two minutes of stoppage time.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
44 min: CHANCE!
Superb pass from Odegaard into Saka but the winger fires over from close range. He was knocked off balance, but should be hitting the target.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
42 min: Here come Arsenal on the break with Eze but his momentum is halted by Gilmour who takes one for the team and is shown a yellow card.
Free-kick to the Gunners in a promising position. Odegaard to take.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
41 min: Really good defending from Konsa as he sticks to his task against Alisson and eventually blocks a shot. At the other end, Saka does well to get to the byline but his cutback for Gyokeres lacks power.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
39 min: Napoli looking dangerous as Hojlund pins Konsa and sets the ball back for De Bruyne who finds Politano is space down the right, he cuts inside and shoots straight at Raya.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
37 min: Milinkovic-Savic, the Napoli back-up keeper, is getting ready on the bench. Looks like Meret’s night is drawing to a close.
Standard Sport's Matt Verri
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The biggest threat to Arsenal is De Bruyne on the break. A few times he's found a lot of space when Arsenal have lost the ball.
He's looked sharp without quite finding the right final ball so far, but you don't want to be giving him many more chances to find his range.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
35 min: Space opens up for Rice on the edge of the box, he takes the shot on but the Arsenal midfielder can’t keep his effort down. Break in play as Meret receives some medical attention.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
32 min: Wicked cross from Hincapie almost catches out Meret and the Napoli keeper scrambles across to make sure the ball doesn’t cross the line.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
30 min: Konsa does enough to get to a cross before De Bruyne, Rice puts out the fire before Gyokeres wins a free-kick after drawing a foul.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
29 min: Nearly a great goal for Arsenal as Saka rushes his effort at the end as pulls a shot wide.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
28 min: Eze makes room for a shot but drags his effort wide of the post.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
27 min: De Bruyne with some good defensive work as he stops Merino from shooting and is able to win a free-kick.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
23 min: Another chance for Arsenal off a short corner, ball is played into White and his shot is far too tame. Napoli counter at pace but Alisson’s effort is charged down and Odegaard completes the clearance.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
22 min: CHANCE!
Saka switches play for Eze who cushions a header back for Merino and his header is tipped over the bar by Meret. Good move and a good save to boot.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
21 min: White’s final ball has not been great so far. Got into a great position and has players in the box, but put his cross straight into the arms of Meret.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
19 min: Great control from Gyokeres to take in Raya’s drilled pass. It allows Arsenal to push Napoli back but the visitors can fashion a chance as Eze gives the ball away and then trips De Bruyne.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
16 min: De Bruyne forces Raya into action and the Arsenal keeper makes a mess of the save, luckily White is alert to the rebound and plays the ball off Alisson for a goal kick.
Napoli win the ball back straight away, Konsa makes a fine interception but White gives the ball straight to Politano who shoots straight at Raya.
Game is opening up.
Standard Sport's Matt Verri
20:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arteta has rotated tonight but he's kept that right-hand side at full strength. White, Saka and Odegaard combining really nicely in the opening stages. With Calafiori not in the side, you can expect Arsenal to be even more reliant on their right wing than usual.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
12 min: Eze is fouled, handing Arsenal a free-kick which is curled in by Odegaard and well cleared by the Napoli defence. Gunners keep the attack alive as Saka connects with a Gyokeres cross but his acrobatic effort is saved.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
10 min: Two bites at the cherry from a corner for Arsenal and Konsa is adamant he should have a penalty after a collision at the back post. Nothing given and Napoli race up the other end but fail to make the most of a decent counter attack.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
8 min: Eze and Gyokeres combine around the edge of the Napoli area, the former strikes at goal but sees his effort deflected over for a corner.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
6 min: Nice football by Arsenal down the right, Odegaard is, of course, at the heart of things as he plays in White who then picks out Saka in the area but the Gunners’ No7 sees a shot blocked.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
4 min: De Bruyne with a first time cross into the box looking for Hojlund, but Raya comes and collects.
Napoli 0-0 Arsenal
20:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
3 min: Cagey start to the game from both sides. Hojlund has tried to spin in behind and hold up the ball, his battle against Konsa and Gabriel will be key tonight.
Why Arsenal are wearing red shorts vs Napoli
20:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Despite Napoli being the home side today, Arsenal will still be able to wear their home kit due to there not being a colour clash. However, there’s a slight change to their look.
Arsenal are not wearing this season’s new red and white home kit in its entirety against Napoli.
Instead, the Gunners are wearing red shorts, instead of white, with the red home shirt.
KICK-OFF!
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go!
Napoli vs Arsenal LIVE
20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
UEFA pay tribute to the victims of the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal.
A moment of silence was held, with a banner reading "You are not alone Nepal" displayed ahead of kick-off.
HERE WE GO!
19:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams are out at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Last time out
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
So much has changed since the last time Arsenal faced Napoli...
Alexandre ➡️ Ainsley ➡️ Aaron 🎯
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 9, 2026
Rambo's fine finish against Napoli in 2019 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/2lXcSdHoRF
Ballon d'Or 2026: Three Arsenal stars among nominees as shortlist revealed
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Three Arsenal players have been named on the Ballon d'Or shortlist.
The strong Arsenal contingent comes as no surprise after the club ended their 22-year wait to become Premier League champions again.
Mikel Arteta's side also made it to the Champions League final, where they were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain.
Declan Rice and William Saliba have made the 30-man shortlist, while Gabriel is nominated for the first time.
Kick-off approaching in Naples.
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Champions League: Napoli league phase fixtures
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
08/09 - Arsenal (h)
13/10 - Villarreal (a)
20/10 - Bodo/Glimt (h)
04/11 - Porto (a)
24/11 - Man City (a)
08/12 - Club Brugge (h)
20/01 - Sabah (a)
27/01 - Viking (h)
Champions League: Arsenal league phase fixtures
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
09/09 - Napoli (a)
13/10 - Lille (h)
21/10 - Bayern Munich (a)
04/11 - Slavia Praha (a)
24/11 - Borussia Dortmund (h)
09/12 - Real Madrid (h)
20/01 - Real Betis (a)
27/01 - Sabah (h)
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is how both teams will line-up tonight.
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson Santos.
Substitutes: Contini, Milinkovic-Savic, Favasuli, Badiashile, Neres, Lucca, Vergara, Beukema, Spinazzola
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie, Merino, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Meslier, Calafiori, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Tzolis, Madueke, Dowman, Havertz.
Fan reaction: Arsenal team
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This a great football side tbf
— AJ (@AJ__SR7) September 9, 2026
LHS dynamics look top
Hincapie overlapping + Eze drifting
Gyokeres will get chances if his movement matches the speed of play
Gotta make sure we can sub off Rice/Saka/Ode/White today https://t.co/2W5Jmjd85L
Fan thoughts: Gyokeres prediction
19:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
I think we’re due for a masked celebration from Gyökeres. 🫱🏻🫲🏻
— Evan Cooper (@Lacazest) September 9, 2026
Fan reaction: Points to prove
19:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Really excited to see Merino start. Proper class in midfield, he’s going to cook. Gyokeres has a point to prove too.
— ARDENT GOONER (@TheArsenalMind) September 9, 2026
Napoli team
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Three changes to the Napoli side that started the 3-2 Serie A loss to Inter Milan at the weekend.
Kevin De Bruyne is among those drafted in as Frank Anguissa misses out.
CONFIRMED NAPOLI TEAM NEWS
19:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Lining up for the hosts...
Oggi scendiamo in campo così 🔥
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) September 9, 2026
💙 #ProudToBeNapoli pic.twitter.com/MdCn8UIr8U
Napoli team in full
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson Santos.
Substitutes: Contini, Milinkovic-Savic, Favasuli, Badiashile, Neres, Lucca, Vergara, Beukema, Spinazzola
Standard Sport's Matt Verri
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Mikel Arteta has a deep squad and he's using it tonight, making four changes in Naples. Two of those come in the front three, where it's a big night for Viktor Gyokeres.
This is his first start of the season and it comes after a really poor cameo off the bench against Chelsea.
Kai Havertz is the clear first-choice No9 right now, but Gyokeres needs to show he still can offer something when his chances come.
Arsenal team in full
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie, Merino, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Meslier, Calafiori, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Tzolis, Madueke, Dowman, Havertz.
CONFIRMED ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is the Arsenal team that Mikel Arteta has selected for tonight's Champions League tie.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 9, 2026
Your official Champions League MD1 Gunners 👊
Napoli vs Arsenal LIVE - team news imminent
18:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
'Arsenal have the quality and confidence needed to win the treble'
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Dion Dublin shares his early season prediction on Arsenal.
"Can Arsenal win four trophies this season? Maybe. It’s the start of the season so they’ve got every chance to go and do it. You could argue that’s true for every other club whether it’s Chelsea or Manchester United but Arsenal are the club in pole position.
"They’ll have their sights set on winning the Premier League again first and foremost but I think there’ll be a sense in that dressing room, all around the Arsenal training ground, that we could do something special here.
"No one is going to come out and say. They’ll be saying don’t anybody what we’re thinking here. But I think they have the quality and the confidence now to believe we could go and do a double or a treble or maybe something more.
"That’s what the Arsenal players will be thinking. They’ll want to go further this year, and you look at the business they’ve done and they look stronger than they did last season, so they should go close."
Dion Dublin was speaking to Reviant.
Arsenal discover UEFA punishment for cancelled press conference
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal are expected to avoid punishment from UEFA for missing their pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League clash against Napoli.
The Gunners, who were runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last season, begin their quest for a first-ever major European crown with a trip to Naples to face the 2024/25 Serie A winners on Wednesday night.
Although, Arsenal’s preparations for the showdown at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona have been hit significantly.
All clubs competing in UEFA competitions are required "to fulfil their media obligations the day before the match", but the Gunners were forced to cancel Mikel Arteta's media briefing due to travel trouble.
Arsenal summer signing earning rave reviews
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal have been left impressed by the early impact of summer signing Christos Tzolis, with Club Brugge president Bart Verhaeghe revealing the winger has already been praised by his new club.
Tzolis joined Arsenal from Club Brugge in July in a £34m deal, signing a long-term contract at Emirates Stadium.
The 24-year-old was targeted by manager Mikel Arteta following Leandro Trossard's departure, while Gabriel Martinelli was also made available for transfer.
Tzolis has made an encouraging start to life in north London, helping the Premier League champions win their opening four matches before Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Napoli.
Arsenal hit by travel disruption before Napoli clash
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal cancelled their pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Napoli.
Mikel Arteta was due to address the media in Naples on Tuesday night, previewing the opening match of Arsenal's European campaign.
However, air traffic control issues delayed the Gunners' travel and it was decided that a press conference would not be possible.
Predicted Napoli XI
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kevin De Bruyne is in line to make his first start of the season for Gli Azzurri. The former Manchester City star has a fabulous record against the Gunners, scoring eight goals in 22 appearances against them.
De Bruyne came off the bench for Napoli in their opening day victory over Genoa, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.
Billy Gilmour will also see Scott McTominay’s absence as a chance to establish himself at the heart of Napoli’s midfield, while Chelsea loanee Benoit Badiashile will hope to come in for Amir Rrahmani or Spaniard Rafa Marin.
Predicted Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin, Spinnazzola; Lobotka, Gilmour, De Bruyne; Neres, Alisson Santos, Hojlund
Predicted Arsenal XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Mikel 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.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres
Napoli boss sends message to Mikel Arteta
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Napoli head coach Max Allegri has issued his verdict on Arsenal ahead of tonight’s huge Champions League clash.
The Gunners are in Naples for the start of their Champions League tilt, having been installed as favourites ahead of the competition start.
Arsenal head to Italy in fine form, having opened their Premier League campaign with three straight victories domestically, whilst Napoli started their Serie A season with a win only to lose the next two.
Allegri is well aware of the ability and “greatest strength” of Arteta’s men, but is not letting two defeats dampen his confidence ahead of a huge European tie.
Today's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Tonight's venue was officially renamed the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in December 2020 to honour the late club legend Diego Maradona.
Napoli vs Arsenal latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Napoli to win: 11/2
Arsenal to win: 11/20
Draw: 3/1
Odds via betting sites (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal and Napoli have only ever met four times, twice in the Champions League and twice in the Europa League.
The Italian side's only win came in December 2013 when Gonzalo Higuain was on target.
Napoli wins: 1
Arsenal wins: 3
Draws: 0
Score prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arsenal have made a strong start to the season and we expect the good times to continue tonight.
The Gunners won all eight league phase matches last season, proving they know how to get results at this stage of the competition.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
Napoli team news: McTominay sidelined
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Napoli will be without Scott McTominay after the former Manchester United midfielder underwent minor heart surgery earlier this week and will be out until October.
Meanwhile, centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno and central midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa will also be missing due to injury.
Arsenal team news: Timber in squad
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Jurrien Timber has made a full recovery from a groin injury and has travelled with the squad to Naples.
Cristhian Mosquera missed the 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday after picking up a slight issue against Aston Villa but isn’t yet ready to return.
William Saliba is Arsenal's one long-term absentee with his back injury.
How to watch Napoli vs Arsenal
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis.
Napoli vs Arsenal LIVE!
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE Champions League coverage of Napoli vs Arsenal!
The Gunners came agonisingly close to lifting European football's richest prize last season and are among the favourites to go all the way once again this year.
A tough game away at Napoli awaits Mikel Arteta's side tonight as they look to begin the league phase with a win.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Stick with us!
