Arsenal’s planned press conference ahead of their Champions League opener in Naples was cancelled after the squad’s flight from the UK was delayed by a technical failure in the air traffic control system.
Late departure and revised arrival
The Gunners remained at their training ground while staff worked to resolve travel arrangements. Because of the disruption, the team were not expected to land in Naples until around 9:30pm local time (8:30pm BST), meaning the usual pre-match media duties could not go ahead on schedule.
Squad news and selection context
Manager Mikel Arteta had been due to join defender Riccardo Calafiori at the media conference in Naples before it was called off. Among positive signs for the club, defender Jurrien Timber travelled with the squad as he nears a return from injury. Timber, who is 25, has not played since coming on as a substitute in last season’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and underwent groin surgery over the summer.
“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.”
Arteta’s update provides encouragement for supporters hoping the Netherlands international will be available soon. By contrast, Cristhian Mosquera remains doubtful for the Napoli match after suffering a muscle injury against Aston Villa that kept him out of the weekend fixture with Chelsea. Long-term absentee William Saliba was again not involved in training on Tuesday.
Form guide: what each side brings into the tie
Arsenal begin their European defence having made a strong start domestically. The team have recorded three successive wins in the Premier League — victories over Coventry, Aston Villa and Chelsea — and they lifted the Community Shield after a 3-0 win against Manchester City earlier in the season.
Napoli have experienced a more mixed beginning to their campaign. According to the match report, the Italian side opened with a 2-0 win at Genoa but then suffered consecutive defeats to Como and reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan. Midfielder Scott McTominay will miss the match after undergoing corrective surgery, further shaping the opponents’ availability.
| Team | Recent results (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Arsenal | Wins: Coventry, Aston Villa, Chelsea; Community Shield: beat Manchester City 3-0 |
| Napoli | Win: Genoa 2-0; Defeats: Como, Inter Milan |
Practical impacts for supporters and media
For travelling supporters and accredited media, the delay highlights how technical failures in air traffic control can ripple through match-day schedules. Clubs and broadcasters often have contingency plans, but late arrivals complicate logistics such as hospitality, interviews and transport to the stadium.
- Media access: Planned interviews and press conferences may be postponed or moved to matchday press zones.
- Fans: Expected kick-off routines, meet-and-greets and fan events can be disrupted by late arrivals.
- Team prep: Managers must adapt pre-match training to account for delayed travel and potential fatigue.
Arsenal’s squad flew to Melbourne for an international match earlier this season; however, this incident is a reminder that even short-haul flights can be affected by air traffic control issues. For now, attention turns to whether Arteta can finalise his squad in time for the fixture and whether Timber’s encouraging progress will translate into match availability.
Supporters planning travel to upcoming fixtures should check club communications and airline notices for the latest updates when technical problems are reported by aviation authorities.
