For years, winning this competition felt like an ambition Arsenal were gradually working towards, but last season changed that perception.

Arsenal reached the final after successive runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, continuing a clear upward trajectory under Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

They ultimately fell short again, but getting that close should sharpen rather than diminish the belief that this squad can finally become European champions.

Winning the Premier League last season should only strengthen that confidence.

There is a different level of assurance that comes from proving over 38 matches that you can outlast the best teams in England, and Arsenal now carry that status into Europe as champions rather than challengers.

Their Champions League record last season already demonstrated that they belonged among the continent’s elite.

Arsenal went unbeaten across their 15 European matches inside normal time while conceding only seven goals and keeping a competition-high nine clean sheets.

The task now is to turn those impressive foundations into the trophy itself.

Naples is an appropriate place to begin because this is precisely the sort of away fixture Arsenal must handle if they are serious about going one step further.

Napoli remain one of Italy’s major clubs and possess an intimidating home environment, even if their start under Massimiliano Allegri has been far from convincing.

They have taken only one victory from their opening three competitive matches and arrive after consecutive defeats to Como and Inter Milan.

Saturday’s loss was particularly damaging after Napoli surrendered a 2-0 advantage to lose 3-2 at San Siro following Lautaro Martinez’s late winner.

Their recent European numbers are also modest, with only two wins from their previous 10 Champions League matches and three consecutive defeats against English opposition.

Arsenal, by contrast, could hardly travel with greater momentum.

Sunday’s 2-1 comeback against Chelsea made it four victories from four games this season and showed another side to a team that had already produced comfortable and controlled wins.

That adaptability could prove crucial in Naples.

Arsenal may need periods of patience, defensive discipline and control rather than the relentless attacking pressure seen against Chelsea.

Yet they should not approach this fixture cautiously simply because of Napoli’s reputation or the atmosphere awaiting them.

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last nine opening European fixtures and have won seven of those matches, while three victories from four previous meetings with Napoli provide further encouragement.

Last season showed how close Arsenal are.

Wednesday offers the first opportunity to show that winning the Champions League is no longer merely a dream but a realistic objective for the Premier League champions.

A convincing victory in Naples would not decide anything in September, but it would send exactly the message Arsenal should want Europe to hear.

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The Gunners continued their perfect start to the campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over the Blues. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring after just two minutes on the clock for the visitors.

Kai Havertz equalised for the Gunners in the 25th minute before Martin Odegaard’s 50th-minute winner. Odegaard was handed the man of the match, but Carragher was equally impressed by Calafiori.

The Italian left-back has started the season brilliantly with one goal and two assists. He had a goal chalked off for offside yesterday but contributed indirectly to Odegaard’s early second-half winner.

The £42 million signing made a brilliant forward inverted run before moving across to the left flank. This created the space for Kai Havertz, who produced a brilliant dummy before Odegaard found the net.

Carragher described Calafiori as the ‘best left back in the league’ last month, and he reiterated the same on Sky Sports yesterday and said that he has been ‘absolutely fantastic’ with his impact from left-back.

He told Sky Sports: “The best left back in the league, he dictated the formation of Chelsea. You see Calafiori makes that run forward, Neto then drops in to make it a back five. That’s what Chelsea were today, they were flirting with a back four in the main and at times a back five.

“It was all about the position of Calafiori. Now he makes a run between Neto and Lacroix. It opens up the space between Havertz and the centre-backs. This is the impact he is having on games from left-back, absolutely fantastic.”

The 24-year-old had a quieter game by his standards against Chelsea. The left-back won just one duel and completed 19 passes before he was replaced by Piero Hincapie in the 67th minute.

Despite this, Calafiori made his presence felt in the lead-up to Odegaard’s goal. It was a repeat from the Community Shield, where he had a similar movement to create space for Havertz and Odegaard.

Arsenal face Napoli on the road in their Champions League opener on Wednesday night. Calafiori could be given a breather after starting four straight games. He could come on as a substitute for Hincapie.

We could see more changes to the XI. The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Eberechi Eze could also be involved in the starting line-up against the Naples outfit at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Stats from Sofascore.com

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The Gunners went into yesterday’s game at the Emirates Stadium as favourites, but they were stunned after Morgan Rogers scored in just the second minute.

Riccardo Calafiori was denied the equaliser due to an offside decision, but the Gunners eventually went level through a Kai Havertz long-range strike in the 25th minute.

Arsenal returned from the interval at blistering pace. Odegaard scored the winner in the 50th minute. The Norwegian capitalised on a perfect dummy from Havertz to find the back of the net.

It was the second time this season that the Gunners captain scored from a similar situation, having previously done so in the 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City in Cardiff.

Aside from his goal, Odegaard had 66 touches in the derby with a passing accuracy of 89 percent. He created four chances for his teammates, including a couple of big scoring opportunities.

The 27-year-old also won three duels alongside three recoveries. It was unsurprising that he was adjudged the man of the match for the third time in four appearances this campaign.

Shortly after the game, Odegaard took to Instagram to express his delight with the caption: 3/3.

Several Arsenal stars responded to his post, including Bruno Guimaraes. He commented: ‘Top player’.

Odegaard had a difficult 2025/26 season by his high standards. He still made nine goal contributions in the top-flight but found the net on just one occasion, having missed months of action.

The playmaker has been fully fit and firing since the World Cup with his country. He registered four assists at the tournament and has continued from where he left off for the north London giants.

The Norwegian has netted three goals in four appearances this season. Alongside him, Havertz has also started brilliantly with three goals after overcoming his injury troubles last term.

Keeping the duo fit alongside Bukayo Saka will be key for the Gunners in their league title defence. Next up, Arsenal have a tricky Champions League opener at Napoli on Wednesday.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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The Greece international signed for the Gunners from Club Brugge this summer and has made a fine start to his career with three assists across all competitions.

He had a forgettable outing at Aston Villa last month, but made amends with a much-improved showing, bagging the assist for Martin Ødegaard’s winner against Chelsea (2-1 victory).

Speaking after the game, Arteta was undoubtedly impressed by the left-sided winger and said that ‘he was unreal’ and his work rate and decision-making are phenomenal to watch.

He told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “He was unreal again. He has been showing that the level of threat, the work rate, and his decision-making are phenomenal to watch.”

Tzolis had a reality check against the Villans recently. He won just one of seven duels contested and had only 24 touches with nine passes before his half-time substitution.

However, he produced a much-improved showing against the Blues. The 24-year-old won six of eight duels contested and was heavily involved with 56 touches in the game.

The former Brugge man also made five recoveries and completed 38 passes. He created four chances for his teammates, including a clever ball for Odegaard’s 50th-minute winner.

There were suggestions that Eberechi Eze could start over Tzolis after the latter’s struggles at Villa Park, but the manager kept his faith in the summer signing, who proved his credentials.

With the victory, the Gunners are second in the league standings, behind Manchester City. They have the same number of points, but Arsenal trail the Cityzens on goals scored (seven to six).

Next up, Arsenal have an away trip to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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Lisa Baum, who joined from RB Leipzig this summer, was the match-winner, scoring a brilliant strike inside the opening 10 minutes.

Arsenal dominated possession from the outset, but the hosts were the first to threaten. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie found Kiko Seike, whose effort was palmed away by Misa Rodriguez, the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Baum opened the scoring with the Gunners’ first attempt on goal. The 19-year-old beat her marker before firing a powerful strike in off the underside of the crossbar from a narrow angle.

Soon after, Alessia Russo should have doubled the lead after receiving a pass from Olivia Smith, but the unmarked striker blazed over.

The Seagulls had another attempt, with Caitlin Hayes heading behind. Russo was then denied by Nnadozie at the other end.

Arsenal began to lose possession later in the first half, allowing Brighton to seize the momentum.

However, they could not capitalise, and the north London side headed into the break with a slender lead.

Brighton almost equalised immediately after the interval through Frank Kirby’s header, but Rodriguez was equal to the task.

Kirby was the architect of the next chance, sending a dangerous cross towards Madison Haley, who failed to connect with it.

The Seagulls continued to crank up the pressure and were almost rewarded for their efforts when Kiko Seike fired towards the bottom corner, only for her effort to deflect behind for a corner.

Stina Blackstenius nearly sealed the victory late on, but the Brighton goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to keep her effort out.

Renee Slegers’ side held firm to claim all three points. They face Crystal Palace next Sunday in their first league home game.

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Goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard overturned Morgan Rogers’ early opener as Arsenal passed their toughest examination of the new campaign.

Chelsea arrived in north London having attracted attention with their explosive attack under new manager Xabi Alonso, and it took just 77 seconds for that threat to materialise.

Arsenal failed to properly clear Reece James’ free-kick before Rogers collected the loose ball and guided a superb volley beyond David Raya.

It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded this season, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received precisely the response he would have wanted.

The champions immediately increased the intensity and began overwhelming Chelsea, with Riccardo Calafiori briefly believing he had equalised after a scramble from a set-piece.

VAR ruled the goal out because Ezri Konsa had been offside during the move, while Bukayo Saka subsequently tested Emiliano Martinez as Arsenal maintained the pressure.

Their dominance eventually produced the deserved equaliser after 25 minutes.

Havertz drifted across the edge of the penalty area without being closed down before beating his former club with a low finish inside Martinez’s near post.

Chelsea provided a reminder of their counter-attacking quality shortly before half-time when Joao Pedro released Pedro Neto, whose effort struck the post.

Arsenal responded after the interval by producing the decisive moment only five minutes into the second half.

Christos Tzolis delivered from the left before an intelligent Havertz dummy allowed Odegaard to ghost into the penalty area and finish beyond Martinez.

Havertz continued tormenting his former employers and later produced an excellent flick to release Saka, although Martinez prevented Arsenal from extending their advantage.

Chelsea inevitably applied pressure as the contest entered its closing stages, but Arsenal showed the resilience that underpinned last season’s championship success.

Raya produced the crucial intervention in the 89th minute, brilliantly tipping substitute Estevao Willian’s powerful effort over the crossbar.

Arsenal subsequently protected their advantage to secure a third successive Premier League victory after earlier wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa.

It is only the second time in 22 seasons that the Gunners have opened a league campaign with three consecutive victories.

Their remarkable dominance of Chelsea also continues, with Arsenal now unbeaten in 12 meetings against their London rivals, winning nine.

More importantly, this was an early demonstration of the champions’ range.

Arsenal overwhelmed Coventry, ground out victory at Villa Park and have now recovered from behind against one of the teams expected to challenge them.

Chelsea provided the toughest test yet, but Arsenal’s response sent an early warning to every rival hoping to take their Premier League crown.

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The Gunners have had the perfect start to the season alongside the Blues. They will be aiming for a sizeable victory to move to the top of the standings.

Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings against Chelsea with eight wins, but they could face their toughest challenge yet this afternoon.

Ahead of today’s game, Arteta has made one change from the 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

David Raya continues in goal and will be eyeing his third straight clean sheet of the league campaign.

Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori continue as the full-backs, but there is a change in the heart of the defence with Cristhian Mosquera ruled out with a minor injury.

Ezri Konsa, who was signed from Aston Villa for £55 million earlier last month, makes his full Premier League debut for Arsenal alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice are still the central midfield pairing. In the final third, Martin Odegaard captains the side from the number 10 position.

Christos Tzolis had a reality check against Villa on the road, but the Greek retains the trust of the manager and gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Eberechi Eze.

Bukayo Saka will feature on the right wing with Kai Havertz upfront.

Confirmed Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Chelsea: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have made a couple of changes from the 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge. Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill make way for Reece James and Josh Acheampong.

Emiliano Martinez starts in goal for the west London side. It will be a back three of Wesley Fofana, Acheampong and Maxence Lacroix. Jorrel Hato and Pedro Neto will start as the right and left wing-backs, respectively.

In midfield, James will partner Romeo Lavia, with Moises Caicedo sidelined with a fresh injury. The front line stays the same. Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer will start as the playmakers, with Joao Pedro leading the line again.

Confirmed Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Arsenal: Martinez; Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Pedro.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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There have been concerns over the fitness of Bruno Guimaraes ahead of the fixture, with the Brazilian midfielder missing Thursday’s open training session.

Reporter Hand of Arsenal has now eased concerns over Guimaraes’ availability, claiming that the Brazilian is in the squad for today’s clash.

Guimaraes made his debut in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City but missed the Gunners’ opening league win over newcomers Coventry City.

The 28-year-old made his first league appearance against Aston Villa, coming on as a second-half substitute for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

With Guimaraes still building up his fitness, Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice are likely to play in central midfield.

Guimaraes is expected to feature as a substitute. He will be hoping to enjoy his home league debut for the north London side.

The former Newcastle United star could make his first start in the UEFA Champions League clash at Napoli on Wednesday if he impresses against Chelsea.

Guimaraes has featured 10 times across all competitions against the Blues, recording one goal and one assist.

Jurrien Timber could also feature against the west London side, with manager Mikel Arteta confirming in his pre-match conference that the defender is in a ‘really good‘ condition ahead of the game.

Arsenal head into the derby as favourites, having won their last four league home games against the visitors and being the defending champions.

The Gunners are expected to dominate possession, with Chelsea ceding the ball to their opponents in their opening two games.

Stats from Transfermarkt

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The Cityzens went to the top of the Premier League with a slender 1-0 victory over Coventry. They dominated the game, with 78 percent possession, but had just three shots on target.

Speaking after the game, Maresca covered several topics and also mentioned the need for a higher-quality squad to compete with Arsenal for the Premier League title this campaign.

The Italian tactician highlighted that Arsenal have made ‘five changes’ in every game and how they have the luxury of playing World Cup winners such as Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino off the bench.

He said (via Hayters TV): “If you see since the Community Shield final, we played the Community Shield final and then Arsenal played two more games and had five changes in every game – two World Cup winners in Merino and Zubimendi, two English players in Madueke and Eze and I think the other was Hincapie.

“At the end, if you want to be there in the end, you need options. Arsenal have options, we have options.”

Man City are Arsenal’s main challengers for the title

Man City were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield last month, but they have since picked up three straight Premier League victories.

The Cityzens looked underprepared for the Wembley showdown and have since added more midfield quality in the form of Enzo Fernandez and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

They have also signed another quality winger in Iliman Ndiaye. The club still have room to improve in the defensive department, which should happen as the season progresses.

Against Coventry, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma almost made a blunder, and goal-line technology showed that the Italian star was inches away from gifting a goal.

Taiwo Iwoniyi also found himself in a brilliant scoring position but squandered the opportunity.

Man City eventually won by a solitary Haaland goal, but they will improve as the season progresses and the Gunners can expect a stern challenge in their league title defence.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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Luis Munoz was handed his first league start. He is the youngest UEFA Youth League debutant after coming on as a substitute in Arsenal’s victory over Bayern Munich last December.

15-year-old striker Jaden Maghoma was also named in the starting line-up, while Gabriel Arteta, son of manager Mikel Arteta, was an unused substitute.

Maalik Hashi put Arsenal ahead in the 16th minute when he drove forward, cut onto his left foot and fired a shot into the bottom corner.

Munoz and Hakeem Abubakar then combined on the edge of the box to set up Maghoma who could not hit the target.

Hashi came close to doubling the young Gunners’ lead before the interval, taking advantage of a smart pass to aim a shot at goal, but his effort struck the woodwork.

Arsenal started the second half in the same fashion they ended the first, with Munoz at the heart of things. The 14-year-old midfielder fired a pair of long-range shots, but neither troubled Southampton goalkeeper George Moloney.

The visitors threatened Porter for the first time, with Walter Nutter forcing the 18-year-old goalkeeper to make a save.

Munoz then sent Hashi through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the midfielder could not double the hosts’ lead.

Porter made a brilliant stop late on, denying Ralph Brockway from salvaging a late draw for the visitors and securing Arsenal’s victory.

Josh Smith’s side are back in action next Saturday when they face Crystal Palace in another home game.

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