Mikel Arteta could make two changes to his Arsenal starting XI against Napoli on Wednesday, with Jurrien Timber travelling to Italy but Cristhian Mosquera looking increasingly unlikely to feature.
Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona only three days after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League.
Arteta’s planned pre-match press conference was cancelled after Arsenal’s flight to Naples was significantly delayed, meaning there will be no final public team-news update from the manager on Tuesday evening.
The travelling squad has at least provided one important clue.
Hayters reports that Jurrien Timber has travelled to Naples, putting the defender in contention for his first competitive involvement of the season.
Mosquera, however, missed Arsenal’s final open training session after also sitting out the Chelsea victory.
Our updated Arsenal injury news before Napoli has the latest availability picture.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Napoli
Goalkeeper: David Raya
No change required.
Raya remains Arsenal’s clear first-choice goalkeeper and produced an important late save against Chelsea on Sunday.
A difficult opening European away game is unlikely to be the moment Arteta rotates in goal.
Right-back: Ben White
Timber travelling is a significant boost, but starting him immediately would be a surprise.
The Dutch international has not started a competitive Arsenal game since April and has only just returned to full first-team training following his groin problem.
A place on the bench would represent substantial progress.
White should continue at right-back.
Centre-back: Ezri Konsa
Konsa’s chances of making his Champions League debut for Arsenal have increased further.
Mosquera was absent from Tuesday training after suffering a muscular problem against Aston Villa and now looks unlikely to be available.
Konsa impressed on his first start against Chelsea and should continue alongside Gabriel.
Centre-back: Gabriel Magalhaes
William Saliba remains sidelined, making Gabriel particularly important to Arsenal’s defence.
Rasmus Hojlund presents a physical test and has scored in each of Napoli’s last two Serie A matches.
Gabriel starts.
Left-back: Piero Hincapie
First predicted change.
Riccardo Calafiori has started all three Premier League matches and completed the full 90 minutes against Chelsea.
The three-day turnaround creates a sensible opportunity for Arteta to use Hincapie.
The Ecuador international also gives Arsenal another physically strong defender for what is likely to be an intense away European fixture.
Central midfield: Martin Zubimendi
Second predicted change.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has performed impressively in midfield, but Arsenal have enough depth to manage his workload.
Zubimendi came off the bench against Chelsea and looks a strong candidate to return in Naples.
His ability to control possession from deep could be especially valuable against a Napoli side likely to concede periods of the ball.
Central midfield: Declan Rice
Rice remains one of the players Arteta is least likely to remove for this fixture.
Bruno Guimaraes returned to training on Tuesday after being an unused substitute against Chelsea, but an immediate start is not guaranteed.
Rice and Zubimendi would give Arsenal a strong combination of control and defensive protection.
Right wing: Bukayo Saka
Saka starts whenever fit in Arsenal’s biggest matches.
Napoli’s full-backs can push forward aggressively, potentially leaving space for Saka to attack on transitions.
There is no strong reason to rotate him from the outset.
No.10: Martin Odegaard
Odegaard produced his best performance of the season against Chelsea, scoring Arsenal’s winner and creating four chances.
The captain’s confidence is rising and maintaining that momentum should take priority over rotation.
Left wing: Christos Tzolis
Eberechi Eze remains a serious alternative, but Tzolis has done enough to retain his position.
He played an important part in Arsenal’s winning goal against Chelsea and continues to provide the direct running Arteta wants from the left.
This remains one of the closest selection calls.
Striker: Kai Havertz
Viktor Gyokeres is pushing hard for his first Arsenal start and several rival predicted line-ups have the Sweden international coming into the side.
I would still keep Havertz.
He scored against Chelsea and his movement could be particularly valuable against Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive structure.
Our analysis of how Napoli could try to stop Arsenal explains why Havertz dropping between Napoli’s midfield and defence could cause problems.
Gyokeres then gives Arteta a powerful option if the game becomes stretched.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Napoli
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Raya
White – Konsa – Gabriel – Hincapie
Zubimendi – Rice
Saka – Odegaard – Tzolis
Havertz
Timber’s inclusion in the travelling squad gives Arteta another defensive option from the bench, but his lack of competitive minutes makes a start unlikely.
Mosquera’s absence from training has meanwhile strengthened the case for Konsa to retain his position.
The biggest uncertainties now appear to be elsewhere: Hincapie or Calafiori at left-back, Zubimendi or Lewis-Skelly in midfield and whether Arteta rewards Havertz’s Chelsea performance or hands Gyokeres his opportunity.
With no Arteta press conference following Arsenal’s delayed journey, Wednesday’s confirmed team sheet will provide the final answers.
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