Arsenal's Champions League opener in Naples disrupted by UK air traffic control chaos

Arsenal’s preparations for their Champions League opener against Napoli were thrown into disarray on Tuesday after widespread UK air traffic control failures delayed the squad’s departure, forcing the cancellation of Mikel Arteta’s scheduled pre-match press conference in Naples.

Arteta and defender Riccardo Calafiori had been due to speak to journalists in Italy on Tuesday evening, but the squad was held at the club’s training ground during the disruption. Arsenal were not expected to arrive in Naples until around 9.30pm local time.

The match marks Arsenal’s first European outing since losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League final in Budapest. The Premier League champions have opened their title defence with three successive wins — over Coventry, Aston Villa and Chelsea — following a 3-0 Community Shield victory against Manchester City.

Defender Jurrien Timber has travelled with the squad and is closing in on a return from injury. The 25-year-old Netherlands international has not featured since coming on as a substitute in the PSG final, having undergone groin surgery during the summer that also ruled him out of the World Cup. Arteta offered an encouraging update before Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea: “Jurrien is in really good condition at the moment. He’s been a few weeks on the pitch and has been training with us, so he’s in a really good place.”

Fellow defender Cristhian Mosquera remains a doubt after picking up a muscle injury against Aston Villa. The 22-year-old was the only fit first-team player absent from Tuesday’s training session, with William Saliba already sidelined.

Napoli, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, arrive at the tie in mixed form. An opening 2-0 win at Genoa has been followed by back-to-back defeats to Como and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan. Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the match after undergoing a successful ablation procedure for a minor heart issue at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday morning. A club statement confirmed he will rest for two weeks before resuming training.

In other Arsenal news, the club have signed 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace as part of their 2026-27 scholarship intake. Bernard scored more than 40 goals for Palace’s academy last season and will sign professional terms when he turns 17.