Napoli could be without some key players ahead of their match against Arsenal

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Just Arsenal News

·8 September 2026

Napoli could be without some key players ahead of their match against Arsenal

Arsenal open their Champions League campaign this week with a trip to Napoli, and the Italians will be eager to secure a victory in the match. However, that task could prove difficult against the Gunners, who will be determined to begin their European campaign with a positive result.

Arsenal reached the final of the competition last season and remain among the clubs with the strongest chances of winning this edition of the tournament. Napoli therefore face a difficult challenge, particularly with several of their key players potentially unavailable for the meeting with the Gunners.

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Napoli suffer major setbacks

Over the weekend, Napoli faced Inter Milan in the league and came close to winning the match 2-0. However, Inter fought back from two goals behind to win the game, dealing Napoli a significant psychological blow before their Champions League encounter with Arsenal.

That result could affect the Italians when they face the Gunners, but their bigger concern could be the number of important players they are missing or may be unable to field. Napoli will need to find solutions if they are to compete with an Arsenal side that reached the final of this competition last season.

(Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Key players could miss out

Kevin De Bruyne could be handed his first start of the season, but, according to Sport Witness, Napoli will already be without another former Premier League star, Scott McTominay, who needs heart surgery. Stanislav Lobotka could also be rested after being heavily involved since the season began.

At the back, Napoli are missing Alessandro Buongiorno, leaving them with another concern ahead of the meeting. The Italians could therefore be forced to take a risk by starting the unsettled Benoit Badiashile against Arsenal.

The combination of their recent defeat to Inter and the potential absence of several important players could make Napoli’s task even more difficult. Arsenal will know they cannot underestimate their opponents, but the Gunners will also recognise that Napoli are facing significant problems ahead of their Champions League opener.

For Arsenal, the opportunity is clear, start strongly, take advantage of any weaknesses and begin another European campaign with a statement result.

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