UEFA regulations force Arsenal to wear rare kit combination not seen since 2022 against Napoli tonight

Arsenal will wear a kit combination not seen since 2022 when they take on Napoli tonight - and it carries particular significance to manager Mikel Arteta and several players.

The Gunners face Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in their first Champions League group stage match of the new season.

Their chosen kit is a lucky omen for Arsenal, as they haven't lost a single match while wearing it since all the way back in 2017.

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Why Arsenal have chosen rare kit for Napoli clash

Arsenal will wear an all-red strip when they take on Napoli due to UEFA's regulations.

It means that, because Napoli's home kit features white shorts, Arsenal cannot wear their usual white gear and must switch to red instead.

It's not the first time Arsenal have had to change their kit to avoid a clash against the same opponents.

They did so for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final second leg fixture against Napoli in 2019. Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal of the game on 36 minutes.

In 2022, they also adorned an all-red strip against Watford, which they won 3-2. They drew 1-1 against West Brom while wearing the kit in 2017.

Gabriel Magalhaes wearing an all-red kit during Arsenal's 3-2 win at Watford in 2022 (Image: Getty)

The Gunners used the all-red kit during their UEFA Youth League clash against Napoli earlier on Wednesday, which they won 2-1.

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Arsenal and Napoli have faced off twice previously in the Champions League, under the old group system during the 2013/14 season.

Arsene Wenger's side won their first match 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, with Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud scoring inside the opening 15 minutes.

But they lost 2-0 in the return group fixture, with Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon scoring late on.

Napoli coach names Arsenal's 'greatest strength' ahead of Champions League clash

Napoli will have a new head coach in the dugout when they take on Arsenal, with Antonio Conte having left the role at the end of last season.

In what seems to be the revolving door of elite Italian managers in Serie A, he has been replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, who was formerly in charge of Juventus (twice) and was sacked by AC Milan at the end of last season after his second spell in charge.

Allegri spoke highly of Arsenal and Arteta in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, describing the Gunners' defensive qualities as their 'major strength'.

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"We know the difficulties of this match, which we must go into with pride and the desire to do well," he stated. "He [Arteta] did well to sort out their defence, as Arsenal concede very few goals and they work together as a team. It's their greatest strength.

"We are up against one of the best. Europe gives you different motivation and adrenaline. We've got to take it one step at a time, but also have faith, because the Champions League is an ambition we must all have. This will push us forward."