Napoli v Arsenal LIVE: Latest team news and updates ahead of Champions League clash

It was so close, yet so far for Arsenal last season in their quest to win a maiden Champions League crown. Having made it all the way to the final, they were bested by PSG, who made it back-to-back titles.

Shortly after that final, Miguel Delaney analysed what the Gunners need to do in order to get over the line in Europe’s premier competition.

Napoli and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay won’t feature this evening after successfully undergoing corrective surgery following the diagnosis of a minor heart issue.

The 29-year-old former Manchester United player was found to have a mild benign arrhythmia, an irregular heart rhythm considered non-serious that presents no significant danger to his overall health.

Having travelled to Manchester for the operation on Tuesday, he is set for a fortnight on the sidelines.

A statement from the Italian club confirmed: “On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success.

“McTominay will rest for two weeks and then resume training.”

A couple of hours until kick-off. The calm before the storm at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Arsenal’s press conference ahead of their Champions League opener away to Napoli was cancelled after the team’s flight was delayed by air traffic control issues in the UK.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had been due to speak to journalists in Naples on Tuesday evening, alongside defender Riccardo Calafiori.

But with widespread disruption at UK airports following a technical failure with the air traffic control system, the pre-match media was scrapped.

Arsenal’s squad remained at the club training ground during the delay before leaving for the airport.

Due to the disruption, they did not arrive in Naples until around 9.30pm local time (8.30pm BST).

Napoli will be without Scott McTominay after he underwent a small heart procedure.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been ruled out while David Neres is doubtful, but former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is set to return to the starting line-up and former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is another familiar face.

Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Spinazzola; Vergara, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Neres, Hojlund, Alisson Santos

Jurrien Timber has travelled to Italy so could be available to play for the first time this season. Cristhian Mosquera did not train before the trip, however, and so is set to miss out, with Ezri Konsa likely continuing in defence.

Mikel Arteta could make some changes from Sunday’s win over Chelsea with Bruno Guimaraes, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres hoping to feature.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Eze; Tzolis, Gyokeres, Saka

Kick-off in tonight’s Champions League fixture is 8pm BST at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.

It will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max.

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Napoli v Arsenal.

Another Champions League campaign begins for the Gunners and it’s a tricky test first up – a trip to Naples to face Napoli.