Napoli hosts Arsenal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday, September 9, as both sides begin their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaigns. The European heavyweights meet in the opening round of the league phase, with Arsenal holding a 3-1 advantage in their previous four competitive meetings.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time in Naples.
This article will be updated throughout the match with the latest score, goals, cards, substitutions, VAR decisions and other key moments.
Napoli vs Arsenal Confirmed Lineups
The official lineups are now confirmed for Napoli vs Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Arsenal Lineup
Arsenal will start with a 4-2-3-1 formation as Mikel Arteta’s side begins its Champions League campaign.
Starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie; Mikel Merino, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze; Viktor Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illan Meslier, Riccardo Calafiori, Salmon, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Bruno Guimaraes, Tzolis, Noni Madueke, Max Dowman, Kai Havertz.
Napoli Lineup
Napoli will also use a 4-3-3 formation, with Kevin De Bruyne named in the starting XI for his Champions League opener.
Starting XI: Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Mathias Olivera; Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, Kevin De Bruyne; Matteo Politano, Rasmus Hojlund, Alisson Santos.
Substitutes: Nikita Contini, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Favasuli, Badiashile, David Neres, Lorenzo Lucca, Vergara, Sam Beukema, Leonardo Spinazzola.
The match will kick off at 8:00 PM BST / 9:00 PM local time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli vs Arsenal Match Details
Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 1
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Kickoff: 9 p.m. local time
Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy
Napoli vs Arsenal Live Score and Updates
Napoli 0- 1 Arsenal
Status: Match has not kicked off yet.
This section will be updated as the match progresses with the latest score, goals, cards, substitutions, VAR decisions, injuries and other major developments.
Live Updates
0′ We are live from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli and Arsenal get their Champions League campaigns underway, with both sides starting level at 0 0.
42′ Billy Gilmour receives a yellow card for serious foul play with Napoli and Arsenal still level at 0 0.
42′ Arsenal are awarded a free kick.
44′ Martin Odegaard’s 25 meter effort takes a deflection and spins wide of the target.
44′ Napoli are awarded a free kick.
45′ Bukayo Saka misses a glorious chance from 10 meters, blasting his left footed effort high and wide after being set up by Martin Odegaard.
45’+2′ Arsenal win a corner as Bukayo Saka heads to the quadrant.
45’+2′ Piero Hincapie fires from 15 meters in the box, but his right-footed effort is saved.
45’+3′ Half time! Napoli and Arsenal remain locked at 0 0, with Arsenal dominating the first half.
46′ Vanja Milinković Savić comes on for Alex Meret as Napoli make a goalkeeper change at the start of the second half.
57′ Napoli make a double substitution, with Antonio Vergara and Costantino Favasuli replacing Alisson Santos and Matteo Politano.
62′ Napoli create a chance, but the danger is safely cleared.
65′ Arsenal make a double substitution, with Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis replacing Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze.
72′ Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke come on for Viktor Gyökeres and Bukayo Saka.
75′ GOAL! Martin Ødegaard fires a low drive from the edge of the box that clips the post and goes in, putting Arsenal 1 0 ahead.
77′ Napoli make another double change, with David Neres and Lorenzo Lucca replacing Rasmus Højlund and Stanislav Lobotka.
82′ Martín Zubimendi replaces Ben White as Arsenal look to protect their lead.
85′ Noni Madueke is denied by Milinković Savić on a quick counter, before Tzolis’ follow up is deflected away.
86′ Lorenzo Lucca receives a yellow card for an aggressive challenge on Gabriel Magalhães.
90′ Martin Ødegaard is booked for a tactical foul during stoppage time.
92′ Christos Tzolis forces a sharp save from Milinković Savić before Kai Havertz has a second goal ruled out for offside.
94′ Full time! Arsenal beat Napoli 1 0 away from home.
Napoli vs Arsenal Match: Champions League Live Updates