After a dogged domestic away win on Monday night, the Gunners have travelled to Southern Italy today in preparation for yet another big game, as the Europa League quarter finals come to a close. With a two-nil aggregate lead from the home leg last week, Arsenal meet Napoli knowing an away goal makes it a mountain to climb for their hosts.
With a convincing first half last week in North London lead by Ramsey and Torreira in midfield, Arsenal earned a two goal lead come the close of the ninety. However, it could have been better...it could have been three or four. And with Napoli being quite the different team in their own back yard (much like Arsenal actually), a three or four goal cushion would have been ideal. But Arsenal wouldn't be Arsenal without making it exciting would they? With just ninety minutes between them and a second consecutive Europa League semi-final in a row, the Gunners will be keen to impress and get the job done. It'll take hard work, plenty of discipline and defensive organisation to thwart Napoli but of late especially, smaller teams than us have proved it can be done.
From Monday night's win against Watford, Petr Cech comes into the starting XI. Still suspended in the league but not in Europe, Sokratis is very likely to also make a return to the starting line up. Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac started Monday's game from the bench and with Emery only needing the young Englishman for half an hour, the players got significant rest ahead of what is likely to be a start for both tomorrow. Should Emery opt for the back three formation again then Mustafi is the likely casualty as the man in charge seems to favour the Sokratis-Koscielny-Monreal combination. In midfield, Xhaka is back and looking good. For his first appearance in three games, he got through the full ninety last time out and alongside Torreira, it is probably the best and most effective central duo. The little Uruguayan is expected to shake off the knock that saw him come off at half time away to Watford to play alongside Xhaka for this one.
With Alex Lacazette being rested completely earlier on in the week, he is the likely candidate to start in Naples. Sitting on a dangerous two goal lead, Emery is highly unlikely to start with both his strikers together up top. I personally love the combination and the true partnership characteristics they offer but it is quite an attack-minded shape to start with away in Europe. Ozil, Ramsey, Iwobi and Mkhitaryan are the likely candidates for the two attacking midfield spots. Fellow attacking midfielder has been confirmed to be struck with a groin issue so he hasn't made the trip and having already missed Monday's game, he could be out for a few more games yet.
In London, Napoli's big game players failed to turn up. Having been at the game myself, I noted that Dries Mertens was substituted, Lorenzo Insigne was nulified well by Maitland-Niles and it didn't even look like Jose Callejon was even playing (until half time I noticed the team sheet!). For them, this has to change otherwise Arsenal will handle their other threats and attempts at attack, even if out-and-out striker Milik starts. He came on late last week and was just as ineffective as his colleagues. Arsenal's back three were never worried, tested or out of their depth. Ancelotti's men will however be much more up for it this time around. Allan, Ruiz and Zielinski in midfield were bossed by Ramsey and Torreira last week and as much as I'd love to say it'll happen again, I feel that it will be a slightly different story in Italy.
The benefit to Arsenal though is that Napoli need to attack as they need goals. They proved last week that their defence isn't as great as perhaps it should be, and throughout the season they've been a lot like Arsenal; top heavy with goals but not enough clean sheets. To say that they've been leaky is an understatement. With Ramsey and Ozil likely to be in from the off, creativity won't be in short supply so if Napoli go for the jugular and leave Arsenal with a sniff, Lacazette and co will be more than happy to oblige. One Arsenal goal in Naples and it becomes a mountain to climb with four goals the only solution. Emery will be aware of that and his side will be set up to take advantage.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
CB: Nacho Monreal
RWB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
LWB: Sead Kolasinac
RAM: Aaron Ramsey
LAM: Mesut Ozil
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: Arsenal to progress to the semi-finals.
@craigbennett10
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