The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium became the backdrop for a heavyweight Champions League showdown between Napoli and Arsenal. Wednesday’s game in southern Italy could prove a turning point for new Partenopei coach Massimiliano Allegri after a poor start to Napoli’s Serie A campaign.
After defeating Genoa 2-0 in the first round of Serie A, Napoli lost to Como and Inter Milan, causing controversy. The latter defeat was particularly disturbing considering Allegri’s side had a two-goal lead after 55 minutes, only for the Nerazzurri to turn the tables and win 3-2.
It was far from a perfect way to prepare for Arsenal, which increases the pressure on Allegri ahead of the European campaign kicking off in Naples. In stark contrast to the hosts, the Gunners have made a strong start to the season, winning the Community Shield trophy and all three Premier League games.
Mikel Arteta’s side once again showed their well-documented fighting spirit last weekend, overturning an early deficit to beat arch-rivals Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. In doing so, they have prepared themselves perfectly for the trip as they now look to erase the memory of last season’s heartbreaking Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Game preview
Naples
Napoli’s European results last season were a disaster. They ranked 30th in the league last season and lost four of the eight games in the opening stage of the league (two wins and two draws). In fact, the four-time Italian champions have won just two of their last ten Champions League games (D2, L5). While this paints a rather bleak picture for the home side, there is still a glimmer of hope.
The raucous atmosphere at the Stadio Maradona has helped Napoli avoid defeat in 19 of their last 21 Champions League games (12 wins, 7 draws). However, after losing 3-2 to Chelsea in their latest such match, last season’s Serie A runners-up faced back-to-back home defeats for the first time in the history of Europe’s top league.
Allegri could be forgiven for hoping Napoli can arrest this worrying decline, as his side have scored at home in 23 of their last 24 Champions League games. However, this may still be easier said than done, as the Partenopei have lost “zero” (W1) in three of their last four games against Arsenal, including a 1-0 defeat in the 2018/19 Europa League quarter-final second leg.
arsenal
Despite a strong performance against Napoli, Arsenal’s recent record against Italian opponents has been far less encouraging. In fact, they have won just one of their last six away games against Serie A opponents (a draw, L4), failing to score in all five of their winless games. However, the Gunners have every reason to believe now is the time to stop this worrying trend.
Arteta’s side were winless in last season’s Champions League final (11 wins, 3 draws). Additionally, Arsenal performed flawlessly in the league stage, winning all eight games with an aggregate score of 23-4, including a 3-1 win over Inter Milan at Giuseppe Meazza. It was a rare instance of the Gunners conceding the ball.
They conceded fewer goals (seven) and kept fewer goals (nine) than any other team in the Champions League last season. Although Chelsea became the first team to score against Arsenal this season on Saturday, ending their run of three consecutive games without a win in all competitions, the defensive performance here remained stubborn.
Team news
Scott McTominay’s heart surgery is going well but Allegri will not have the Scotland midfielder at his disposal for the foreseeable future. As well as the long-term absentees Alessandro Buongiono and Giovanni, Napoli will also be without Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, who suffered a muscle injury late in the game against Inter Milan and Billy Gilmour is expected to take his place in the starting lineup.
Arsenal, meanwhile, complete the trip without William Saliba and Christian Mosquera, meaning Ezri Konsa is likely to partner Gabriel Magalhaas at the heart of their four-man defence. Arteta is likely to stick with his regular attacking options, led by Kai Havertz with Bukayo Saka and Christos Zolis on the wings.
Napoli vs Arsenal starting lineup
Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rafa Marin, Rahmani, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Lobotka, Gilmour; Politano, Hojlund, Santos.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Eid; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Zolis; Havertz.
Napoli vs Arsenal Prediction
Inconsistent defending against Como and Inter Milan caused problems for Napoli as they faced a clinical Arsenal side. Falling behind could mark the end of Italy’s hopes of a Champions League victory, especially given the Gunners’ stellar defensive performance.
Unfortunately for Allegri, the reigning Premier League champions are in much better form.
Prediction: Arsenal to win
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