ARSENAL are looking to kick off their Champions League campaign with a bang against Napoli tonight, but will have to overcome some familiar faces to do so.
The Premier League champions travel to Naples, Italy, to start their European season as they aim to go one better than their defeat in the final to Paris Saint-Germain last season.
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But when they take on Serie A side Napoli, Mikel Arteta‘s side will be quite familiar with some of the opponents.
Napoli boss Massimiliano Allegri has six former Premier League stars in his squad who he hopes will guide his team to victory.
However, perhaps the most prominent of these stars won’t be available.
Former Manchester United star Scott McTominay would typically be the man to lead Napoli to war, but the Scotland international is sidelined after undergoing an ablation procedure – a minimally invasive operation to correct irregular heart rhythms – at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday morning.
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Napoli provided an update on the 29-year-old’s operation and confirmed it had been a “complete success”.
With the midfield dynamo out of contention, the onus will fall to another ex-Man Utd star in Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund completed a permanent move to Naples after helping the team achieve Champions League qualification through the league last season, which triggered a buy clause in his loan from the Red Devils.
Hojlund, 23, has started the season in fine form after scoring two goals in the opening three games.
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His pace in behind could prove tricky for the Gunners’ high line, but the true test will be whether he can bring his teammates into play against one of the meanest defences around.
Helping Hojlund with chance creation will be Manchester City icon, and long-term Arsenal nemesis, Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian was arguably the best playmaker in England for a decade while at the Etihad before his departure in the summer of 2025.
Even at 35, only a fool would discount De Bruyne’s ability to win a football game with one killer pass.
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Former Fulham star Frank Anguissa is another midfielder who will miss the clash after picking up an abductor issue.
However, Allegri insists he won’t be changing system.
That means another midfielder the North Londoners could have to worry about is ex-Chelsea star, Billy Gilmour.
The silky passer has been limited to just 11 minutes of football this season, so a run-out in the Champions League against familiar opponents could be the perfect rotation for Allegri.
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That is what Arsenal need to worry about at the back, but their attackers will also need to overcome former Chelsea man Benoit Badiashile.
Like Gilmour, the Frenchman has been limited to a handful of minutes so far this season.
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The 25-year-old ended his Blues career as a bit-part player, and that has carried over to Italy.
But a European night may suit the former Monaco defender, though his 100 per cent losing record against Arsenal may not be the best omen going into the clash.