Arsenal begin another pursuit of their first UEFA Champions League title with a difficult trip to face Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night.
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Mikel Arteta’s side came agonisingly close to European glory last season, reaching the Champions League final before losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. The Gunners return to the competition as one of the leading contenders and arrive in Naples in excellent early-season form, having won all three of their opening Premier League matches.
Napoli have experienced a much more difficult start under Massimiliano Allegri. The Italian giants have taken three points from their opening three Serie A matches and enter Wednesday’s encounter following consecutive defeats.
With Arsenal looking to make another statement in Europe and Napoli desperate for a response on home soil, Matchday 1 presents an intriguing battle in Naples.
Betting Preview
Arsenal’s Champions League progression under Arteta has been remarkable.
The Gunners reached the quarter-finals in 2023/24, advanced to the semi-finals the following season and went one better last year by reaching their first Champions League final since 2006.
They were almost flawless along the way.
Arsenal became the first team to win all eight matches in the Champions League league phase under the current format and remained unbeaten in normal time throughout the entire competition. Their campaign ultimately ended in heartbreak when PSG beat them 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final.
Arteta’s men have responded impressively at the beginning of the new season.
After beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield, Arsenal opened their Premier League campaign with victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa before overcoming Chelsea in their first major London derby of the season.
Their defensive strength remains one of their biggest assets.
Arsenal conceded fewer goals than any other team in last season’s Champions League, allowing just seven, while their nine clean sheets were also the most in the competition. That defensive foundation has remained evident during the opening weeks of the new campaign.
There are, however, some concerns at centre-back.
William Saliba is unavailable with a back injury, while Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber have both been listed as doubts ahead of Wednesday. Ezri Konsa could therefore partner Gabriel Magalhães in central defence.
Napoli have problems of their own.
Allegri’s side have made an underwhelming start to Serie A, losing two of their opening three matches, including a home defeat against Como and their most recent loss against Inter.
Their European form from last season provides little encouragement either.
Napoli finished 30th in the Champions League league phase after recording just two wins from eight matches, missing out on the knockout rounds.
The Italian side nevertheless possess enough individual quality to make this a dangerous opening assignment for Arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne provides creativity and experience in midfield, while Rasmus Højlund gives Napoli a physical threat through the middle. David Neres could also provide pace and unpredictability from wide areas if he recovers from a knee problem.
Napoli will be without two important midfielders, though. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is sidelined with an adductor injury, while Scott McTominay is also unavailable.
Those absences could become particularly significant against an Arsenal midfield featuring Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães and Martin Ødegaard.
The hosts also possess a strong historical European record at the Maradona. Napoli have lost only three of their 13 home matches against English opposition in major UEFA competitions.
However, Arsenal arrive in considerably better form and have become increasingly comfortable against Italian opposition. The Gunners have won seven of their last 10 matches against Serie A sides.
Recent Form & Stats
- Arsenal have won all three of their opening Premier League matches this season.
- Arteta’s side became the first club to win all eight league-phase matches under the current Champions League format.
- Arsenal were unbeaten in normal time throughout last season’s Champions League campaign.
- Arsenal have won 12 consecutive Champions League league-phase matches dating back to the 2024/25 campaign.
- Arsenal have won seven of their last 10 matches against Italian opposition in UEFA competition.
- Napoli have lost two of their opening three Serie A matches this season.
- Napoli have won just two of their last 10 Champions League matches, drawing three and losing five.
- The Italians have lost their last three Champions League matches against English opposition.
- Arsenal and Napoli have previously met four times, with Arsenal winning three and Napoli winning once.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in all three of their victories over Napoli.
- The Gunners won both legs of their most recent tie in the 2018/19 Europa League quarter-finals, prevailing 2-0 in London and 1-0 in Naples.
Best Bets & Prediction
Prediction: Arsenal to win at 1.60.
Best Bet: Arsenal to win to nil at 2.51.
Alternative Bet: Under 3.5 total goals at 1.33.
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