Unai Emery expects Napoli to be more dangerous on home turf after his Arsenal side secured a two-goal advantage with a dominant performance at the Emirates in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
In a first half reminiscent of the Champions League clash between the two sides in 2013, Aaron Ramsey finished off a sweeping move to give the Gunners the lead on 14 minutes before Lucas Torreira’s deflected strike doubled the lead 11 minutes later.
Having racked up 16 shots on the night and seven on target, Arsenal can count themselves unlucky not to have extended their lead after the break, that said, we’re also grateful for a clean sheet given the visitors squandered two golden openings of their own.
While on paper, it’s advantage Arsenal, our dodgy form on the road means it’s going to be far from a comfortable night next Thursday.
Speaking after the match, Emery said: “I’m 60 per cent happy. We know the first leg today was very important to take good results and a good feeling with our supporters.
“I think we deserved the result. We controlled the match with the ball and positioning. We can take their box with players and scoring two goals.
“We didn’t concede a lot. In the second half was different because they pushed more and had more possession.
“We know it’ll be very difficult there, their performances at home are usually strong performances. They’ll use all their attacking possibilities against us.”
Asked about his tactics for next week’s showdown in Naples, he added: “We think we are more competitive. The idea is not changing, we want to win every match. This result gives us a small difference with them.
“Our target is going to be away also, thinking to win the match. We’ll prepare like that but with respect for them.”
Red army!
It’s like 0 – 0…cause Napoli will definetely score at home. Thank God that Zielenski couldn’t score with the Goal open wide.
If we can play the same XI then I would feel comfortable. Do we play Kos against Watford or not? That’s probay the most important decision he has to make.
60 % happy. The man’s hard to please!
I will take a multiple goal fest in Naples, 3-3 game
Let’s score first there so I can watch the match with a bowl of popcorn
It’s not a nice feeling that a solid performance and a great 2-0 win against a top side ‘might not be enough’ cos of our awful away form. its hanging round our neck like a bag of cement . probably end up watching the away game from behind the sofa with one eye closed and no volume on the tv.
Sums up how apprehensive most of us are still concerning the return leg because of our inconsistent and unreliable defense. But I’m courteously optimistic with fingers crossed.
Towards the end I was hiding under my Arsenal quilt when they were attacking…
Focus back on league.
Watford tricky customers plus we have to deal with Sokratis out, fortunately Le Boss availalble again.
Also good to see Torreira available again. A good strong finish lads. 6 matches all winnable.
Lets finish ahead of Spurts please.
Plus second leg Napoli we will need to be even less forgiving in front of goal. I feel the away goal may do it for us.
Good Eebaning
We need proper men for that match I Naples. Who would be your pic if you had to go for the 11 best fighters in our squad?
Arsenal won 3-0 against both Bate and Rennes in London, and still lost the away games. This is far from over. Arsenal should come out of the blocks guns blazing in Napoli and make the early goal that would turn Napoli’s dreams into Pompeii.
Arsenal have not been good to keep the ball in the team defensively since the 90s. The team is still shaky in the hind quarters and should go on the attack away as well.
Burrrn…literally!
Would have also worked with ‘bury Napoli’s dreams like Pompeii’.
Shame we didn’t get the third, had some great opportunities.