Arsenal caught up in airport travel chaos ahead of Champions League opener against Napoli | OneFootball

Arsenal’s press conference ahead of their Champions League opener away to Napoli was cancelled after the team’s flight was delayed by air traffic control issues in the UK.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had been due to speak to journalists in Naples on Tuesday evening, alongside defender Riccardo Calafiori.

But with widespread disruption at UK airports following a technical failure with the air traffic control system, the pre-match media was scrapped.

Arsenal’s squad remained at the club training ground during the delay before leaving for the airport.

Due to the disruption, they were not expected to arrive in Naples until around 9.30pm local time (8.30pm BST).

Arsenal are set to return to European action for the first time since losing on penalties to Paris Saint Germain in last season’s Champions League final in Budapest.

Defender Jurrien Timber has travelled with the squad as he closes in on a return from injury.

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Jurrien Timber is closing in on a return from injury (PA)

The Netherlands defender, 25, has not played since coming on as a substitute in the loss to PSG. He underwent groin surgery during the summer and missed the World Cup.

Speaking before Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea, Arteta said: “Jurrien is in really good condition at the moment.

“He’s been a few weeks on the pitch and has been training with us, so he’s in a really good place.”

While Timber’s availability would be a big boost, fellow defender Cristhian Mosquera remains a doubt for the Napoli clash.

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Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera did not train on Tuesday (John Walton/PA)

Mosquera suffered a muscle injury against Aston Villa which ruled him out of the Chelsea game. Aside from the sidelined William Saliba, the 22-year-old was the only Arsenal first-team player not to train on Tuesday.

Premier League champions Arsenal have begun their title defence with three successive wins, beating Coventry, Villa and Chelsea after defeating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield.

Opponents Napoli have endured a more difficult start to the season.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side launched their campaign with a 2-0 win at Genoa before suffering back-to-back defeats to Como and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan.

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Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the visit of Arsenal (Agostino Gemito/PA)

Napoli’s Scotland international midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the Arsenal match following corrective surgery for a minor heart issue.

An update on Napoli’s website read: “On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success. McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal have signed 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace as part of the club’s first-year scholarship intake for the 2026-27 season.

Bernard scored more than 40 goals for Palace’s academy last term and will sign professional terms with the Gunners when he turns 17.