Napoli and Arsenal, both recent league champions, are set to commence their UEFA Champions League campaigns against each other on Wednesday at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.

This fixture pits two of Europe's top domestic performers from recent seasons against one another. Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, reached the Champions League final last season, while Napoli were dethroned as Serie A champions by Inter Milan but remain a formidable European side.

Napoli's new head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte in the summer, faces immediate pressure. He has stated the team needs "12 points to secure qualification" from the group stage and acknowledged the challenge posed by Arsenal. Allegri also reflected on his past Champions League final defeats with Juventus, highlighting the competition's difficulty.

The Italian side has stumbled in their domestic campaign, losing their last two Serie A matches against Como and Inter Milan, the latter a 3-2 defeat. This form contrasts with Arsenal's strong start to their season, which includes a four-game winning streak. Their victories have come against Manchester City in the Community Shield and in league matches against Coventry, Aston Villa, and Chelsea. The Gunners have scored nine goals and conceded only one, earning a reputation for a strong defense.

According to the Opta supercomputer, Arsenal has a 52 percent probability of winning the opening match, while Napoli is given a 22 percent chance. This prediction underscores Arsenal's current form and perceived strength.

Last season, Napoli was eliminated in the Champions League group stage, finishing 30th out of 36 teams. Despite this, the squad possesses the talent to pose a significant threat to any opponent in Europe.

Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, has been credited with organizing a disciplined defense that concedes few goals, a factor Allegri specifically noted.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 pm local time (1900GMT). Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text commentary and build-up coverage starting at 16:00 GMT.