Napoli Faces Injury Crisis After Arsenal Defeat

Napoli’s Champions League opener against Arsenal took more than three points off the table. It stripped them of their goalkeeper, one of their main attacking threats and left an already stretched squad staring at a tricky few weeks ahead.

A 75th-minute strike from Martin Odegaard decided Wednesday night’s clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, sealing a 1-0 win for Arsenal. The result hurt. The injury bulletin that followed hurt more.

Meret and Alisson ruled out

On Thursday, Napoli confirmed that Alex Meret and Alisson Santos both sustained muscular injuries during the defeat.

Meret, the undisputed No. 1, has suffered a low‑grade injury to the adductor in his left thigh. Alisson, who had emerged as a key figure in the attack, has picked up a medium‑grade hamstring injury.

The club has not put a definitive timeline on either player’s return. The medical staff will monitor their progress over the coming days, with the international calendar offering a natural checkpoint. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, there is optimism inside the club that the growing list of absentees could ease by the end of the September–October international break.

For now, though, Napoli must plan for life without their starting goalkeeper and an important forward as the season begins to gather pace.

Anguissa back in the frame

There was at least one piece of positive news.

Andre‑Frank Zambo Anguissa is back in full training and is in contention to feature at the weekend. His return offers a badly needed boost in midfield, an area that has been forced to absorb tactical and physical strain during the early weeks of the campaign.

Anguissa’s presence restores balance, intensity and experience in the centre of the pitch – qualities Napoli will lean on heavily while others work their way back to fitness.

McTominay and the rest of the injury list

The injuries to Meret and Alisson arrive on top of an already complicated situation.

Scott McTominay, the 2024‑25 Serie A MVP, remains sidelined as he recovers from a minor heart procedure for a benign arrhythmia. The club expects him to be back in contention after the upcoming international break, a potential turning point in Napoli’s autumn.

At the back, Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci are still working their way back from recent injuries. In attack, forward Giovane is also on the recovery trail. The target for all three is a return to action in October, when the schedule tightens and the margins shrink.

Napoli’s season is only just starting, but the tests have arrived early. With key players in the treatment room and Champions League pressure already rising, how long can they hold their nerve before the cavalry finally returns?