Arsenal travel chaos for Napoli clash with flight delayed and press conference cancelled due to UK air traffic meltdown

ARSENAL’S preparations were thrown into chaos as they were delayed travelling to Napoli for their Champions League opener. Mikel Arteta and his squad had been due to land in Italy on Tuesday evening ahead of a press conference at 7.15pm local time. The Arsenal team’s flight to Naples has been delayed Credit: Reuters It has led to the Spaniard’s press conference being cancelled Credit: Getty But the club have been forced to cancel that as they are not set to arrive in Naples until 9.30pm due to Air Traffic Control issues in the UK. Arteta and his players are understood to have stayed at the club’s training ground, which is 20 minutes from Luton Airport, while they waited for the delay. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! It is hoped that will minimise any impact to the squad, with the main issue being a later arrival time in Italy. Clubs are due to hold a pre-match press conference ahead of Champions League matches, but UEFA agreed to let Arsenal cancel theirs due to the circumstances. Among those travelling to face Napoli will be right-back Jurrien Timber, who is back fit after a groin issue. The Dutchman picked up the injury back in March and has been battling it ever since then. He was able to come off the bench in the Champions League final in May, however he missed this summer’s World Cup. Timber could feature on Wednesday night and he has been stepping up his recovery over the past few weeks. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Arsenal ticket and hospitality deals This is not the first time Arsenal have had travel issues ahead of a Champions League match. Three years ago their flight to France to face Lens was delayed by storms and they were forced to cancel their press conference. Clubs can be fined for not fulfilling media commitments, but Arsenal are understood to be in the clear.They have been in constant contact with Uefa during the situation, which the governing body appreciate is out of their control. Comment now