A high tempo, all action first half with goals from the in form Aaron Ramsey and the sublime Lucas Torreira gave Arsenal a fully deserved two-nil win last night at the Emirates Stadium. Napoli looked a shadow of the team they've been known to become of recent years but in their own back yard, the second leg next week could be much tougher.
A fast start was needed, and it took a mere five or six minutes to get exactly that as Arsenal upped the ante from the get go and out footballed Napoli in every department. Early shots from Ramsey and Maitland-Niles set the tone with much of the successful play coming down our dominant flanks. Pressure was continually applied by the Gunners and the breakthrough soon came as a splendid team move was finished off by Ramsey from the centre of the box. A swift passing play, involving Ramsey, Ozil, Lacazette and Maitland-Niles beat three of four by-standing Napoli defenders and the unmarked Welshman slid home a side footer neatly into the far corner. The moves and chances just kept coming as Arsenal were in a bullish mood, with the perfect blend of elegance and tenacity throughout the starting XI, things knitted together so well. It was then the turn of the dogged Torreira to do was Torreira does best. Hunting down the Napoli midfield, his high pressure forced a turnover and he strode forward with real prowess. He sold a dummy onto his left foot and caked a shot at goal. The build up was fantastic, everything about it embodies the man himself but his shot wasn't so great. It looked to be going off target but a fortunate deflection off a diving defender sent it on target and into the back of the net. It doesn't matter how it goes in, as long as it does. Two-nil and a thoroughly deserved half time lead.
The break came at a good time for the visitors who were able to regroup and establish some organisation in their ranks. As for Arsenal, half time looked to have come at a bad time as after the break, it was almost like a different team came out. The Gunners invited pressure, looked a yard slower and far less up for it. It could have just been the fact that Napoli upped the ante massively but it really did look like Arsenal dropped a gear or two as well. Any away goal for Napoli would have been gold dust. Fortunately, it never came but they threatened for a good thirty odd minutes straight. The up for it Mesut Ozil put in a good shift for sixty-odd minutes as did the out of sorts Alex Lacazette, who were both replaced in a double substitution. Mkhitaryan and Iwobi entered the fray and solidified the midfield a little more but left Aubameyang pretty isolated. This left very little on the counter and meant even more pressure on Arsenal's leaky defence. Lead by the dominant Koscielny, who looked so composed and calm on the ball, the back line stuck it out and earned a deserved clean sheet. Come the final whistle, Napoli were all over us threatening from every angle but Cech too saved well all night to ensure his team travel to Naples next week with a two goal lead.
Ratings and Talking Points
Unai Emery: 8.5
Emery started his best available XI, gave his best players everything they needed to succeed, and ultimately got what he deserved. He set up with the now usual back three, bringing in Koscielny for Mustafi. Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles started in the wing back areas and both played pretty well going forward. Defensively, Maitland-Niles flew in well to one or two notable challenges but there's still a question mark or two over Kolasinac's defensive side. Torreira rightfully returned to the midfield engine room alongside the enigmatic Ramsey in what was a fantastic pairing. Ozil started in behind a front two of Aubameyang and Lacazette which again, was the right call from the Head Coach. His substitutions left a little question over his thoughts and methods but ultimately, he's in charge and got the required result. It would have been nice to see Suarez get a few minutes instead of Iwobi or Mkhitaryan who both offered they same thing. Elneny for Torreira late on as probably the right change to solidify central areas but making more defensive changes in general seemed to invite Napoli on more. Emery's ethos for the night though was clear; score, attack and build through the flanks. And without a true striker up top for Napoli, our defence spent most of the time facing runs in behind but were set up to handle it well. Emery would have been dead set on a clean sheet and his men delivered with a mature and experienced performance in every area of the pitch.
Petr Cech: 7
Sokratis: 6.5
Laurent Koscielny: 7.5
Nacho Monreal: 7
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 7
Aaron Ramsey: 9
Lucas Torreira: 8.5
Sead Kolasinac: 6.5
Mesut Ozil: 7
Alex Lacazette: 6.5
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7
Subs:
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5
Alex Iwobi: 5
Mohamed Elneny: 5
Regardless of Personal Form, Lacazette is Still the Man
Clearly a little jaded or just off the pace last night, Alex Lacazette still ran Napoli's defence ragged. He fought for almost every ball, battled his way through an hour or so of pure effort and dogged work that we've all begun to love. Whether he's in goal scoring form or not, he still gives 100% effort and unselfishly runs in behind to make things happen. He's a joy to watch when on form and in the box, he's a cracking finisher but when he's having an off day or he's not quite at the races, he never lets his team down. He gets through oodles of work and whether he's frustrated or not, we rarely see it. He's improved month on month in north London and alongside his mate Aubameyang he's becoming a formidable attacking force that, on his day, can be unplayable.
The In Form Aaron Ramsey
Regardless of position and regardless of role, Aaron Ramsey gives everything for his team, and is so often the man for the big occasion. He has been cast out completely, played in attacking midfield, played in false wide areas and played deeper in an orthodox centre midfield role throughout Emery's tenure so far - and regardless of anything, he has played for the club, the fans and the badge. The uncanny ability he has to put a shift in both ways yet often score or assist goals as well makes him almost irreplaceable. And although when he doesn't play, we often see the best of Granit Xhaka which is also a joy to watch at times, Arsenal fans worldwide surely must wonder what if we hadn't signed Ozil to such a high salary, would Ramsey have stayed - would a deal have been struck? Either way, its impossible to say that he's not up there with Arsenal greats. In an era of Wenger's decline and a huge organisational (and operational) change at the football club, Ramsey has played with pride, excellence and unfaltering desire for the badge. His goal scoring, dynamism and all round attitude to football and the club he loves will be missed.
@craigbennett10
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