Scott McTominay has undergone minor heart surgery, casting doubt on his involvement in Napoli’s Champions League season opener against Arsenal.
Arsenal were beaten finalists in the Champions League final last season, but will get the ball rolling on this season’s competition with a visit to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli, though, may well be without one of their key players in Scotland star McTominay, who has already started two Serie A matches this season.
It was announced last week that the midfielder would undergo minor heart surgery to correct what the club described as “a mild benign arrhythmia”, an irregular heartbeat deemed non-serious.
He is said to have undertaken the procedure today, Monday, September 7, in England, just two days before Arsenal fly out to Naples.
Will McTominay be fit to face Arsenal?
No, Napoli will not field McTominay against Arsenal this week.
Writing on Instagram last week, he promised fans: “I won’t take long.”
Speaking at an awards ceremony in Italy last week, he added: “I’m fine, the procedure was something I’d planned to do with the club for quite a while.”
The initial club statement confirming McTominay’s surgery plans read: “He will be available again after the international break.”
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has claimed he will be absent for around four weeks as he waits for medication to take effect.
Manna told DAZN: “It will take 28 days for (McTominay to return to) sporting fitness because he will take anticoagulant drugs.
“For two weeks, the player will rest and then resume competitive activity without contact.”
Anticoagulants, more commonly known as blood thinners, are designed to prevent blood clots.
The four-week return window means McTominay is expected to miss Scotland’s upcoming four Nations League fixtures, against in the coming international break. That window will see Scotland play Switzerland and North Macedonia before facing Slovenia twice.
After McTominay’s surgery plans were confirmed, the Scottish national team said in a statement: “Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Scott. Hope to see you back in a Scotland shirt soon.”
McTominay’s absence is good news for Arsenal, though the Gunners will have to contend with a formidable midfield comprised of fit-again duo Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour.
