Travel chaos forces Arsenal to cancel conference before Naples clash

Arsenal’s flight to Naples was severely delayed by an air‑traffic control problem, forcing manager Mikel Arteta to cancel his pre‑match press conference at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday and leaving the team arriving late at their hotel in southern Italy ahead of their Champions League opener against Napoli.

UK airport chaos delays Arsenal flight

Travel disruption spread across the United Kingdom’s airports on Tuesday, leaving many flights delayed. Arsenal’s scheduled departure for Naples was caught in the chaos, contributing to the later problems. The disruption also impacted other clubs travelling for European fixtures.

Mikel Arteta was forced to cancel his pre‑match press conference at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday after the flight was severely delayed by an air‑traffic control issue. The manager’s absence from the media event underscored the logistical nightmare. Club officials later arranged a replacement flight to ensure the squad could reach Naples later that day.

The Arsenal team remained at the club’s training ground in Hertfordshire after completing their usual morning session, waiting for the delay to pass. Players and staff stayed on the pitch area while officials worked on alternative travel arrangements.

Timber returns to squad after May

Jurriën Timber was named in the travelling squad, marking his first inclusion since May. The defender’s return adds depth to Arsenal’s options ahead of the Champions League tie. His inclusion comes as Arsenal look to bolster their defensive options after a series of injuries earlier in the season.

When the flight finally left, the team arrived late at their hotel in southern Italy. The delayed arrival meant they had little time to settle before the match against Napoli.

Arsenal’s opening Champions League game against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona remains scheduled, but the disrupted preparations may affect their readiness. The club will now focus on finalising tactics before kickoff.