Arsenal's European Campaign Begins: Unfinished Business in Naples

Arsenal head back into Europe with a familiar feeling: unfinished business.

Last season they tore through the league phase, winning all eight games. Nobody beat them in 90 minutes. Not once. They went all the way to the final in Budapest, took Paris Saint-Germain to penalties, and then watched the trophy slip away from 12 yards.

Now the climb starts again, this time in Naples on Wednesday night, and Mikel Arteta looks ready to lean on the depth he has spent years building.

Midfield reshuffle on the cards

Bruno Guimaraes did not feature at all in the win over Chelsea, nursing a knock that Arsenal have managed carefully. That opens the door for Martin Zubimendi to step into midfield, a like-for-like switch in terms of control but with a slightly different rhythm to his game.

Arteta has rarely hesitated to rotate when the schedule tightens. This feels like one of those nights.

Eze and Gyokeres eye their moment

Higher up the pitch, the competition is just as fierce. Eberechi Eze will be pushing hard for a start on the left, a role that suits his ability to drift inside and drag defenders with him. With Arsenal expected to see plenty of the ball, his creativity between the lines could be crucial.

Through the middle, Viktor Gyokeres is in line for his first start of the season. Kai Havertz has carried a heavy load already, and with the campaign stretching ahead, Arteta may decide this is the moment to manage his minutes. Gyokeres offers a more direct, powerful option up front, the kind of outlet that can turn a tight European away leg.

Defensive juggling continues

At the back, the picture is more complicated. William Saliba remains out long term with a back injury, a constant shadow over Arsenal’s defensive plans. Jurrien Timber has yet to play a single minute this season but is edging closer to a return, while Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt with a muscle issue.

That leaves Ezri Konsa in line to continue alongside Gabriel, just as he did in the Chelsea win on Sunday. The pair looked assured then; they will need the same authority in Naples.

If Arteta tweaks anything, it is likely to be at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori has been outstanding in the opening weeks, all energy and aggression down the flank, but his Arsenal career has already been punctured by injuries. The staff know it. They will not want to push him too far, too soon.

That is where Piero Hincapie comes in. He was the only defender on the bench against Chelsea, a clear sign of how stretched that area is, and there is every chance he steps into the starting XI in Italy.

Arsenal arrive in Naples with scars from Budapest, a deep squad, and a clear target: go one better. The question now is whether these rotations can keep them fresh without breaking their rhythm on the European stage.