The former Premier League names leading Napoli's Champions League charge against Arsenal

Serie A reboot 

It's now been sixteen years since a Serie A team won the Champions League, with Inter's 2010 treble triumph feeling like a distant memory in the competition's illustrious history. 

Since then, Inter have returned to the final twice, only to be beaten by Man City in 2023 and then humbled at the hands of PSG two years later.

No other Italian team has come close and last season the league hit an all-time low when none of the four teams made it past the Round of 32 - the first time that has happened since the inception of the Champions League. 

Inter will once again look to buck that trend in 2026 - although they got off to the worst possible start with a defeat to Real Madrid - and will be joined by Roma, newbies Como and Napoli, who are yet to match their domestic success with any kid of repeat in Europe. 

Indeed, they didn't even manage to make it past the league phase last term, despite going into the competition as the reigning Italian champions. 

Now it's a new season, a new man in charge in Massimiliano Allegri, and an aim to finally make an impact in Europe. And, to aid their cause, are some former Premier League names who will out to down the Gunners. 

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The ex-Premier League names 

Scott McTominay may be missing for Gli Azzurri, as he deals with a minor heart issue, but welcoming the Premier League champions to Naples will be one of the best to ever strut his stuff in England, Kevin De Bruyne. 

Now 35, the Belgian isn't the swashbuckling sat-nav we saw in his heyday, but still possesses that keen eye for a pass and big-game mentality, especially against one of his old foes. 

In 16 games against the Gunners, De Bruyne scored eight times and notched four assists during his time at Manchester City, and he'll be desperate to add to that record tonight. 

In front of him, Rasmus Hojlund should lead the line for Allgeri's men. Having escaped the madhouse at Manchester United, he's enjoying now being the first choice frontman for Napoli and has two goals in three games so far in 2026-27. 
 

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Elsewhere, McTominay's absence could see Billy Gilmour given more minutes in midfield, alongside former Fulham powerhouse Frank Anguissa. 

Benoît Badiashile completes the ex-Premier League brigade, with the defender currently on loan from Chelsea, and any help he can provide in causing Arsenal some discomfort will be greeted with huge smiles at his parent club. 

Having begun the season with two defeats from three in Serie A, including a last-minute reverse to champions Inter, the evidence suggests that even with their former Premier League names, Napoli won't be favourites against the English champions. 

But as ever, when there's a point to prove, both for the Serie A clubs this season and a slew of names with unfinished business, anything can happen. 

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