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Massimiliano Allegri insisted Napoli showed signs of improvement despite suffering a third straight defeat, arguing that “Arsenal needed an extraordinary moment of quality to score against us” in the Champions League.

The Partenopei were well aware that getting a result would be difficult against the Premier League champions and last season’s Champions League runners-up, a side that only lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

Naples, Italy – 9 September 2026: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli is challenged by Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 9 September 2026 in Naples, Italy.

Napoli were already badly hit by injuries to Scott McTominay, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci and Giovane. On top of that, Noa Lang was excluded for disciplinary reasons, while David Neres was only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Alex Meret and Alisson Santos were then forced off during the game with muscular issues, and both will undergo tests to determine the extent of their injuries.

Even though Arsenal controlled possession for long spells at the Stadio Maradona, the only goal came from a Martin Odegaard curling effort that went in off the inside of the far post, allowing the visitors to finally break Napoli down.

Naples, Italy – 9 September 2026: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts with SSC Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 9 September 2026 in Naples, Italy.

“The first half was far more balanced, because we still had some fuel in our legs, seeing as several players were making their first starts of the season,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“We also moved the ball around with better quality. We made some wrong decisions in the final third, putting crosses in when there was nobody in the box, and we also know how well Arsenal defend.

“There were some positive aspects, but when you keep making the wrong choices against a team of this level, you do risk being punished. In the second half, Arsenal took charge and we showed a good spirit of sacrifice.

“We certainly could not afford to concede another three goals in 20 minutes, so that was a positive.”

That was a reference to Napoli’s previous Serie A outing, when they had gone 2-0 up away to Inter before collapsing to a 3-2 defeat.

Naples, Italy – 9 September 2026: Amir Rrahmani of SSC Napoli battles for the ball with Victor Gyokeres of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 9 September 2026 in Naples, Italy.

This result still means Napoli have now lost three matches in a row, their longest losing run since the Walter Mazzarri era in 2023.

Having been beaten in three of their opening four fixtures, it is also Napoli’s worst start to a season since 2000/01, a campaign that ended in relegation to Serie B.

“At times like this, you have to stay balanced and accept that some players are still getting up to speed. The squad has not lost its value, it is simply a negative moment in which we need to do more, and we have to win the next home match against Bologna. If we do that, the picture will look brighter.

“I believe we put in a good performance this evening against an extraordinary opponent. Don’t forget, we brought on a player who was at Catanzaro last season, Vergara, who lacks experience, so I think we need to stay calm in how we judge the situation. The team did what it needed to do today.”

Naples, Italy – 9 September 2026: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal carries the ball under pressure from Mathias Olivera of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 9 September 2026 in Naples, Italy.

Admittedly, the schedule has not helped, with Napoli facing three extremely demanding matches in succession, but Allegri was asked whether there were still positives to take from the performance.

“Arsenal are an extraordinary team, but the sacrifice and patience to sit deep and avoid conceding was a positive. We conceded too easily against Como and Inter, so there was clear improvement in our concentration tonight,” Allegri continued.

“It is disappointing that these are defeats, but we learned from those mistakes, there are players who need to build fitness, and we have a very important game coming up against Bologna.

“The first thing we need to do is work on maintaining balance and analysing what is right and what is wrong. Becoming depressed now is not going to help. They were three very different defeats, because the way we conceded five goals against Como and Inter was ridiculous, but tonight Arsenal needed an extraordinary moment of quality to score against us.

“We could have scored, and they could have scored too, but at this level technical decisions are fundamental. I hear people saying we need to press higher or lower, but really it is about making the right choices, because otherwise the opponents will make them.

“The lads are demoralised after this defeat, because they gave absolutely everything they had,” Allegri concluded.