Napoli to host Arsenal in Italy in first Champions League match
Italy’s Napoli will host London’s Arsenal on Wednesday, September 9, in the first match of its Champions League campaign at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples. Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who previously played for Manchester City, could feature for the hosts.
Arsenal’s defence
Arsenal began the defence of their English championship title with three consecutive victories and have conceded only one goal. Last season, Mikel Arteta’s team conceded 27 goals in 38 Premier League matches. In the summer, the London side added defender Ezri Konsa, who joined from Aston Villa.
Last season, Arsenal reached the Champions League final, where they lost to the tournament’s reigning winners PSG in a penalty shootout after a 1:1 draw in extra time. In seven playoff matches against Bayer, Sporting, Atletico and PSG, the London team scored seven goals and conceded three.
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De Bruyne and Napoli’s absences
According to The National (UAE), the 35-year-old De Bruyne came on as a substitute in all three of Napoli’s opening matches this season. In the first game against Genoa, he scored a goal and provided an assist. Last season, hamstring injuries limited him to 21 matches for the Neapolitans.
The Belgian has scored eight goals in 22 matches against Arsenal — more than against any other opponent in his career. Before joining Napoli, he spent 10 years at Manchester City, where he scored 108 goals, provided 177 assists and won 19 major trophies.
Napoli’s attack could be led by Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored in the previous two matches since permanently joining from Manchester United in May. Midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the game because of surgery to correct heart rhythm disorders. He is expected to return after the October international break.
