Arsenal XI vs Napoli – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·9 September 2026

Arsenal XI vs Napoli – Predicted lineup and team news

Arsenal open their Champions League campaign at Napoli on Wednesday, returning to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the first time since their 2019 Europa League quarter-final win there.

Mikel Arteta’s side arrive full of confidence after a 100% start to the season, and will hope to build on last term’s run to the final. Arsenal have never lost to Napoli in four previous meetings across all competitions, though a place in their Champions League league phase is no guarantee against a side determined to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.

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Arsenal team news

Cristhian Mosquera’s availability remains uncertain for Wednesday’s trip to Naples after he missed Sunday’s win over Chelsea with a muscular problem picked up against Aston Villa. Jurrien Timber has not been ruled out with his groin issue, but the match is likely to come too soon for a starting role, meaning he would be a bench option at best.

William Saliba remains a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury. With Mosquera a doubt and Saliba out, Arsenal’s centre-back options are reduced to Gabriel Magalhaes, Ezri Konsa and Riccardo Calafiori.

Ezri Konsa made his full Arsenal debut against Chelsea in Mosquera’s absence and is set to continue alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence. Mikel Arteta could swap Riccardo Calafiori for Piero Hincapie at left-back purely to manage fitness levels given the quick turnaround between matches.

Martin Zubimendi is pressing for a recall in central midfield over Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Bruno Guimaraes, despite overcoming a knock to make the bench against Chelsea, is likely to be left out again. Arsenal’s in-form front four of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard are expected to remain unchanged.