Manna: Napoli must not panic, Lang left out for disciplinary reasons against Arsenal
Quick summary
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna says the club must not panic ahead of their Champions League clash with Arsenal, confirming winger Noa Lang was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceNapoli director Giovanni Manna reveals Noa Lang is dropped against Arsenal over disciplinary reasons, while urging fans not to ‘press the panic button’ just yet.
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
This has been a rough start to life under new coach Max Allegri, as after the win away to Genoa, they suffered back-to-back Serie A defeats to Como and Inter.
Manna sees positive Napoli aspects NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 14: Andrea Chiavelli SSC Napoli AD, Giovanni Manna SSC Napoli sports director, Edoardo De Laurentiis SSC Napoli vice president, Massimiliano Allegri new SSC Napoli head coach and Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli President Massimiliano Allegri is presented as the new SSC Napoli head coach at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) With that in mind, what was the mood in the Partenopei camp ahead of this difficult clash against Arsenal?
“We prepared the way you do for a Champions League game against the Premier League winners and former finalists, with hunger, curiosity, and the desire to have our say,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.
“I wouldn’t press the panic button, we made some mistakes against Como, it was a great performance against Inter and we were level until the 90 th minute. We need to be calm, but also cannot be happy, because we expect to get results.
“We’ve got to be objective, it will be very difficult tonight, almost prohibitive, but from tomorrow we’ll try to get some players back to fitness and go for results.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) There is an injury crisis, as Scott McTominay had surgery to correct a mild, benign arrhythmia, with Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci and Giovane also injured, plus David Neres only fit for the bench.
“De Bruyne got hurt almost immediately, which was a big shame, because he brought experience and quality to the side. However, Napoli are not just Kevin De Bruyne,” insisted Manna.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Noa Lang of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) There was an additional name missing from the Napoli squad this evening, as Noa Lang was not involved, but that was not due to an injury.
“Lang did not behave correctly yesterday, so he will watch the game with me in the stands. He apologised to his teammates and the coach, the lad understood his mistake, it is behind us and tomorrow he will return to being at our disposal,” explained Manna.
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What happened
With Napoli facing Arsenal in the Champions League, sporting director Giovanni Manna addressed the media and urged calm despite pressure on the team. He confirmed that Noa Lang was omitted from the squad for disciplinary reasons, though did not elaborate on the specific incident. Manna emphasized that the club must stay composed and not react emotionally to recent results. The disciplinary omission of a key attacking player adds intrigue to Napoli's selection for the European tie.
Chance analysis
Napoli's decision to publicly frame the Lang omission as a disciplinary matter rather than a tactical or injury issue sends a clear message about internal standards, even on the eve of a major European fixture. For Manna to invoke the word 'panic' suggests the club is aware of external pressure following an uneven run of results, and he is attempting to stabilize the narrative around the Arsenal tie. Losing Lang — a creative winger — for any reason weakens Napoli's attacking depth, and how they compensate in the match will be telling for their European ambitions.
Napoli face Arsenal without winger Noa Lang due to a disciplinary omission, reducing their attacking options for the Champions League fixture.