Arsenal are preparing for their Champions League opener against Napoli, with Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg set to officiate the match. Nyberg previously took charge of the Gunners' home leg against Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 competition, a 2-2 draw in which he denied Bukayo Saka a late penalty after an incident involving Manuel Neuer.
The Bayern game was not the only prior meeting between Nyberg and Arsenal. He also refereed a group-stage match earlier that same season when Mikel Arteta's side won away against Sevilla.
Gabriel red card debate continues
Meanwhile, former Manchester United players Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young have said Gabriel can consider himself fortunate to have avoided a red card in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea. Both believe the Brazilian could have been dismissed after catching goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the head with his boot.
"Martinez has got the ball in his hands and Gabriel boots him in the head, he swings a leg and goes way over the top. He's extremely lucky to stay on the pitch," Rooney said on Match of the Day.
Young echoed that view, saying: "When the ball is on the floor and Martinez has it, Gabriel kicks so high. I'm not sure why it hasn't gone to VAR or if they've properly studied it because he's nowhere the ball. He's got away with one there."
Arsenal's perfect start continues
Arsenal have maintained a 100 per cent start to the Premier League season after coming from behind to beat Chelsea, with Morgan Rogers having opened the scoring. They trail league leaders Manchester City on goals scored.
The Gunners have won three of four previous meetings with Napoli but lost to them in Campania in December 2013. Arsenal will hope to record a 13th straight league-phase victory in Europe, having boasted a perfect record last term.
