Napoli lose Scott McTominay to heart surgery before Arsenal Champions League tie

Serie A champions Napoli will be without influential midfielder Scott McTominay for Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Arsenal after the Scotland international underwent successful heart surgery.

The 29-year-old had an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a mild, benign arrhythmia. Napoli said McTominay would rest for two weeks before returning to training and is expected to be available again after the international break.

McTominay was substituted during Napoli’s match against Como after the issue was identified. His recovery will also rule him out of Scotland’s first four matches under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli.

“On Tuesday morning, Scott McTominay underwent an ablation procedure at Spire Manchester Hospital. The operation was a complete success,” Napoli said.

McTominay’s absence comes alongside a physical problem for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, leaving Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri with only four midfielders available for the visit of Arsenal.

Despite the shortage, Allegri says he will not alter his preferred 4-3-3 system.

“There will not be a change of system, absolutely not. I’ve only got four midfielders, so three of them will start tomorrow,” Allegri said.

Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka and Antonio Vergara are competing for the three starting positions in midfield.

Napoli’s preparations for their first Champions League match under Allegri come during a difficult opening to his tenure. The former manager Antonio Conte, who guided the club to the Serie A title, left by mutual consent after two seasons in charge.

Under Allegri this season, Napoli have beaten Genoa but suffered defeats by Como and Inter Milan. The manager believes the Champions League offers an opportunity to move on from those results.

“Tomorrow is a different competition from Serie A, a sort of mini-league where we need 12 points to secure qualification for the next round,” he said.

“Europe gives you motivation and adrenaline. We’ll be playing against the best, and we need to play a game of great technique.”

McTominay was a key figure in Napoli’s Serie A title triumph last season and was named the league’s Player of the Season. Napoli finished 30th in the Champions League league phase, however, and will now begin this campaign without one of their most important players.

The midfielder is contracted to Napoli until 2028. Sporting director Giovanni Manna said talks over a possible extension remain ongoing, although an agreement has not yet been reached.

“Scott said he doesn’t know if he’ll renew at this time,” Manna said. “He has a two-year contract, we want to do it, and he wants to do it, too. It’s not always easy to make things coincide, but we’re trying.”

Allegri expects Arsenal to provide a demanding test, with Mikel Arteta’s side having reached last season’s Champions League final.

“Arteta has done well to get his defence organised and they concede very few goals,” he said.