Could this year finally be the year for the Gunners, as they look to go one better this time out and claim their maiden Champions League triumph?
Arsenal begin their journey to the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid with a difficult trip to Naples to face a Napoli side now managed by former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.
Arsenal's performance in the Champions League over the last four years has signalled the Gunners will essentially be close once again this time out. Quarter-finalists in 2023/24, semi-finalists in 2024/25 and finalists last season, Arsenal will be hoping that trend continues this season. Last season was the closest Arsenal had come to winning the ultimate prize but were thwarted on penalties after Gabriel's wild effort sailed clear of Matvéi Safónov's goal frame.
Despite the defeat in May, the Gunners can take solace in the fact that they remain unbeaten in their previous 15 matches in this competition, when played in normal time. Arsenal have kept nine clean sheets in those 15 and conceded fewer goals during that run than any other side, including reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta's side did secure their first Premier League triumph since 2004 last season, and this season the champions have started in excellent fashion. Arsenal are one of only two sides in the Premier League (Manchester City) to have a 100% record thus far, with wins against Coventry City (3-0), Aston Villa (0-1) and Chelsea (2-1). The game against bitter rivals Chelsea showcased the grit of champions, securing a 2-1 win after Morgan Rogers had given the Blues the lead in the 1st minute.
Massimiliano Allegri opted for another change of top Italian clubs over the summer, moving from the San Siro to Napoli as the replacement for Antonio Conte. Allegri had previously managed AC Milan & Juventus in two different spells, but his current spell at Napoli sees a 33% win rate in the league. Napoli opened their league season with a 2-0 win away at Genoa, but followed that up with back-to-back defeats against Como (1-2) & Napoli (3-2).
Despite the season being in the early stages, Allegri will be expected to deliver a result of some sort, but Napoli's record in Europe has been poor. I Partenopei have won two of their last 10 in Europe, with three straight defeats to English opposition.
With Arsenal being in excellent shape, even delighting the Emirates faithful with some fluid patterns of play this season, expect them to record a victory against a Napoli side who have capsized in their last two fixtures.
Napoli 0-2 Arsenal
