Napoli and Arsenal are set to clash at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples on Wednesday evening, marking the opening match of their respective UEFA Champions League campaigns. The fixture pits two recent domestic league champions against each other, with Napoli taking on Arsenal at 19:00 GMT.
Al Jazeera Sport will provide comprehensive coverage, including pre-match buildup starting at 16:00 GMT and live text commentary. The match represents a significant reunion for two sides that have faced each other multiple times on the continental stage.
Recent Form and Context
Arsenal enter the match as Premier League champions after ending a 22-year wait for the title last season. Their campaign began impressively with a four-game winning streak, highlighted by a dominant 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City. They have since defeated Coventry, Aston Villa, and Chelsea, scoring nine goals while conceding just one.
Napoli, the previous Serie A champions, were dethroned by Inter Milan last season but retain a squad capable of competing with Europe’s elite. However, they are coming off a disappointing Champions League league phase where they finished 30th out of 36 teams. Massimo Allegri has taken over from Antonio Conte, noting the need to secure at least 12 points for qualification.
Team News
Napoli face midfield challenges ahead of the knockout-stage opener, with Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa unavailable. McTominay underwent surgery for an irregular heartbeat, while Anguissa is dealing with a physical issue. Allegri indicated that Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, and Antonio Vergara will compete for midfield spots.
Arsenal will be without defender Cristhian Mosquera due to a muscular injury. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return from groin surgery and could feature on the bench, while William Saliba remains sidelined with a back problem. Bruno Guimaraes is approaching full fitness after missing the previous weekend’s match.
Prediction and History
Statistical models favor the visitors, with Opta’s supercomputer giving Arsenal a 52% chance of victory compared to Napoli’s 22%. The historical record also leans toward the English side, who have won three of the four previous encounters between the clubs.
The last time these teams met was in April 2019, when Arsenal claimed a 1-0 win in Naples during the Europa League. This upcoming match is widely regarded as a tentative titanic tussle, with both managers emphasizing the defensive solidity of their opponents.
Arsenal’s defense has been solid, but playing away in Naples is always a tricky affair. Expect a tight, low-scoring game.
Allegri taking over from Conte at Napoli? That is quite a managerial shuffle. Wonder how he handles the pressure here?
Losing McTominay and Anguissa is a massive blow for Napoli. Their midfield looks severely compromised without them.
Opta giving Arsenal a 52% chance? Hard to argue with the stats, especially after that dominant pre-season form.