Napoli vs Arsenal: Champions League Match Preview, Lineups, and Predictions

Napoli Hosts Arsenal in Champions League Opener

Napoli, the 2024–25 Serie A champions, will welcome the 2025–26 Premier League winners, Arsenal, to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday for one of the most anticipated fixtures in the opening round of the Champions League.

Both teams are eager to improve on last season's European performances. Arsenal, runners-up last year, aim to capture their first-ever Champions League trophy, while Napoli, eliminated at the group stage previously, need to reach the knockout rounds this time around.

Form and Expectations

Arsenal appear strong favorites despite the challenge of playing in Naples. After dominating Manchester City in the Community Shield, they started their Premier League title defense with three wins, including a tough victory against Chelsea last weekend.

Napoli have struggled under new coach Massimiliano Allegri following Antonio Conte's departure. They lost their last two games to Como and Inter; notably, they squandered a two-goal lead in a 3–2 defeat at San Siro.

Score Prediction: Arsenal to Extend Winning Run

Arsenal look nearly unstoppable currently. Their momentum from last season continues, with increased squad depth enabling manager Mikel Arteta to rotate players without losing quality. Stars like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka have been especially impressive.

Defensively, Arsenal are solid, conceding only 0.9 expected goals in three Premier League matches. Injuries haven’t shaken their backline, with Morgan Rogers the only player to score against them so far this season.

Napoli are still adjusting to Allegri’s tactics and balancing attack and defense. The home crowd and individual talent might not suffice to stop a well-drilled English side.

• Arsenal’s Defense: Only one goal conceded this season; strong and consistent.
• Past Performance:Arsenal won all eight group-stage matches last season and stayed unbeaten in 90 minutes throughout the tournament until the final.
• Head-to-Head: Four previous meetings, with Arsenal winning three, including the last two in the 2018–19 Europa League. None of these matches saw both teams score.

Prediction: Napoli 0–2 Arsenal

Napoli Predicted Lineup

Napoli will miss key midfielder Scott McTominay due to an upcoming minor heart operation. Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci remain sidelined and were not part of the league squad. Giovane is out with a hernia, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa sits out with an adductor injury, and David Neres is doubtful.

Kevin De Bruyne, formerly of Manchester City, will replace Anguissa in midfield, while Rasmus Højlund, ex-Manchester United striker, leads the attack.

• Formation (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marín, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Vergara; Politano, Højlund, Santos.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Arsenal face defensive injuries with William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera unavailable. Jurriën Timber returns from injury and may start, marking his first Champions League appearance since the final.

Mikel Arteta could rotate the midfield, giving Martín Zubimendi a chance and possibly starting Bruno Guimarães, while Declan Rice rests on the bench. Up front, Viktor Gyökeres might replace Kai Havertz, and Eberechi Eze could take over on the left wing for summer signing Christos Tzolis.

• Formation (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Guimarães; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.

Match Details

• Location: Naples, Italy
• Stadium: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
• Date: Wednesday, September 9
• Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
• VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

Broadcast Information

• United States: Paramount+, ViX
• Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
• Mexico: Max Mexico
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports 2, HBO Max