Arsenal's European Return: Ready for Redemption in Naples

Arsenal return to Europe this week with unfinished business and a score to settle.

Last season they tore through the league phase, winning all eight games and refusing to lose inside 90 minutes in the entire competition. They went toe to toe with Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest, dragged the contest all the way to penalties, and still walked away with nothing but regret.

Now the climb starts again, under the lights in Naples on Wednesday night.

Arteta ready to shuffle a loaded pack

Mikel Arteta knows this is a marathon, not a sprint, and the depth of his squad almost demands rotation. The Arsenal manager is expected to freshen things up, leaning on a bench that looks more like a second XI than a group of understudies.

In midfield, there is likely to be a notable switch. Bruno Guimaraes did not feature for a single minute in the win over Chelsea, nursing a knock, and the staff will not want to push him too hard this early in the campaign. That opens the door for Martin Zubimendi, who could step into the engine room and dictate from deep.

Higher up the pitch, competition for places is just as fierce. Eberechi Eze will be eyeing the left flank, eager for a chance to drift inside, carry the ball and unsettle defenders. Through the middle, Viktor Gyokeres is in line for his first start of the season if Arteta chooses to manage Kai Havertz’s workload after a demanding run of games. Resting Havertz now, with the schedule about to tighten, would be a calculated move rather than a gamble.

Defensive reshuffle on the horizon

At the back, Arsenal are still juggling absences and returns. William Saliba remains a long-term casualty with a back injury, a significant loss in both presence and distribution. Jurrien Timber has yet to play a minute this season but edges closer to a comeback, while Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt as he battles a muscle issue.

Those concerns shape the likely back line. Ezri Konsa is expected to partner Gabriel again, just as he did in the controlled, composed display against Chelsea on Sunday. The pairing looked assured, and Arteta will not want to disturb that central stability without good reason.

If there is to be a change, it should come at left-back. Riccardo Calafiori has been outstanding in the opening weeks, aggressive in the press and calm on the ball, yet his Arsenal career has already been punctured by injury problems. That history will force caution. With a long season ahead, the staff are unlikely to run him into the ground in September.

That points directly to Piero Hincapie. The Ecuadorian was the only defender named on the bench against Chelsea, a clear sign of his status in the pecking order. In Naples, with rotation planned and minutes to be managed, there is every chance he steps in from the start.

Arsenal arrive in Italy as contenders, not tourists. They know exactly how far they went last year. The question now is whether this version of Arteta’s side can take the final step they missed in Budapest.