Match Report: Napoli 0 – 1 Arsenal

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Napoli (0) 0 Arsenal (1) 1
UEFA Europa League, Quarter Final, Second Leg
Stadio San Paolo, Piazza Giorgio Ascarelli, 80125 Napoli NA, Italy
Thursday, 18th April 2019. Kick-off time: 8.00pm
(4-2-3-1) Čech; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles; Torreira, Xhaka; Kolašinac, Ramsey, Lacazette; Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Özil, Iwobi, Leno, Mustafi, Guendouzi.
Scorers: Lacazette
Yellow Card: Čech
Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (Romania)
Attendance: circa 50,000
Cometh the moment, cometh the man. A world-class goal by Alexandre Lacazette from 25-yards after just thirty-six minutes propelled us into the semi-final of this competition, with the first leg being against the Spanish side Valencia (Mr. Emery’s old club) at The Emirates on Thursday 2nd May. Nikola Maksimovic carelessly scythed down Alexandre Lacazette outside the Napoli box for a direct free-kick to the away side; as soon as the ball left the Arsenal striker’s foot, it became patently obvious that there was only to be one victor tonight here at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples. The only unfortunate moment of the evening was the sad sight of Aaron Ramsey limping off with a suspected hamstring injury just before Alexandre Lacazette’s goal.
There is always talk in the media about “game management”; a term that is often used rather glibly, but tonight, Mr. Emery’s team gave a masterclass in the subject. If qualifications were given out for it, then surely most players in the Arsenal team would qualify for an honours degree in the subject against, what has to be said, a very disappointing and lacklustre Napoli side.
Right from the onset of the match, Arsenal assumed control. Aaron Ramsey claimed a penalty within the first ten minutes, which was denied by the Romanian referee almost immediately after the event. We simply grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck, brought it to heel and showed through hard work and action that we had a steely determination not only to win, but not to allow Napoli any space and time to score. Although it has to be said that the home side did indeed have their chances, but all were half-hearted and criminally squandered.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked as if he was playing with a newly found enthusiasm, which was refreshing to see, especially as his last few performances have been questionable to say the least. He was causing Napoli problems and may have even scored himself, but for the agility of the Napoli goalkeeper, Alex Meret, who also pulled off a fine save from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang late in the second half which should have seen Arsenal finish the match beyond the reach of the home side. Arsenal simply did everything right tonight in this vocal cauldron of Italian football. They played without fear, concern and were aware of the whereabouts of their team-mates were to receive passes and move within the framework of the system. 
Mr. Emery had obviously done sterling work with them during the past week in order to ensure no mistakes would be made tonight, and his and the backroom staff’s endeavours should be roundly applauded for this result. Maybe the hard work is done in the Premiership week after week when Arsenal face some top-class opponents and perhaps it could be that Serie A and their equivalent leagues across Europe are simply not up to the standard of the Premiership? It surely is no accident that for the first time in 35 years that four English clubs are in the last four of the two European club competitions next month either. But as far as the Europa League is concerned, a competition that Mr. Emery has won three times previously, we must surely look at the other teams in the competition and feel that this year could be our year to win silverware at this level of European football, as well as finishing in the top four in the Premiership also.
To summarise, full marks for a much-maligned Arsenal side, who not only brought a smile to us tonight, but more importantly gave themselves the impetus to have the chance for glory in this, Mr. Emery’s first season in the hot seat. Sadly, in his post-match interview, he was unable to state whether Aaron Ramsey had played his last match for us or not; just how good would that be if his last match for us could be the final of this competition in Baku on Wednesday 29th May.Dare we dream? Hell, yes. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as these early days are going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Victoria Concordia Crescit.
Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon.

Arsenal favourites despite tricky away trip to Naples

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Arsenal’s Europa League journey continues tonight with the tricky away trip to Napoli. The Gunners go into the 2nd leg tie with a 2-0 lead following victory in London last week.

Whilst they are taking a fairly comfortable lead to Naples, it is by no means a tie-winning one.

Napoli have a tremendous home record this year – 2nd in Serie A. Their only defeat this season at the Stadio San Paolo was a 2-1 defeat to table toppers Juventus.

Earlier this season they beat Liverpool at home in the Champions League.

Napoli’s ground will be a fortress of hate, and you couple their good home form with Arsenal’s poor away and it is going to be a rollercoaster of a tie.

Victory against Watford on Monday was Arsenal’s 3rd away win since December 1st. The other two coming in the FA Cup against Blackpool and against bottom of the table Huddersfield Town in the Premier League. It is certainly not the form that would have you feeling comfortable travelling to Italy today.

The game against Watford showed just how psychologically damaged Arsenal are away from home.

Despite being a goal up and facing 10-men from the 11th minute, Arsenal laboured to the win. Vulnerable at the back and lacking creativity up top, Watford had their chances.

At least Arsenal did come away from Vicarage Road with the 3 points which pushed Arsenal into 4th and ensured they have two routes to Champions League football next season.

Last season Arsenal won just 4 games away in the league. This season it is 6. 10 away wins out of 35 is worrying form.

Worryingly, Arsenal have also lost both knock-out away legs in the Europa League this season – away to BATE Borisov and Rennes.

The positivity from Arsenal’s point of view is the clean sheet that they bring from London. This gives the side a huge advantage and would mean that if they do get the away goal; Napoli would need to score 4 to go through.

Arsenal’s last away match in Italy was at the Last 16 stage of last season’s Europa League, winning 2-0 against AC Milan. They have also progressed in Europe 16 out of 17 times they have led by two or more goals.

Napoli have not overturned a first leg deficit in Europe since 1989 – a run of 8 consecutive ties, whilst Unai Emery has one more Europa League knockout stage matches than any other manager – 25.

Whilst all the historical statistics point to Arsenal progressing, there is that away form.

The first goal tonight will be key.

Arsenal get it and the tie is dead. Napoli surely will not score 4. If Napoli get it, and get it early, it is “game-on”.

All those going out there, stay safe and look after each other
Hopefully by tomorrow morning we are all booking package holidays to Benidorm for the semi-final.

Up The Arsenal

Keenos

Arsenal target the “New Gervinho” (but he could also be the “New Hazard”)

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July 2011 Arsenal made the £10.8million signing of Gervinho from Lille.

The 23-year-old Ivorian was an exciting, naturally gifted talent who was a key member in Lille’s title winning team.

With 36 goals in his previous two seasons, Arsenal were adding pace, power, trickery and an end product out wide.

Gervinho never really settled in England.

His struggled began when he was sent off on his debut against Newcastle. Reports that he was being bullied by Emmanuel Frimpong, Carl Jenkinson and Jack Wilshere – who had nicknamed him Retardino – did not help.

Playing in the African Cup of Nations also stunted his development – he seemed to come back from the 2012 tournament a worse player and failed to score a single goal for Arsenal upon his return.

Gervinho’s 2nd season at Arsenal started brightly, with 5 goals in his first 7 games, but after this spell his form completely disappeared as he failed to score again until March.

Haunted by a miss against Bradford – Gervinho took a lot of the blame for Arsenal’s exit at the quarter final stage of the League Cup against the League 2 side. This turned a lot of fans against him.

By the time Gervinho had returned 2nd African Cup of Nations tournament in the space of a year, he lacked confidence and was clearly a player on his way out.

Arsenal sold him to Roma after just 2-years at the club.

8-years after the disaster signing of Gervinho, Arsenal are heavily linked with Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe is a 23-year-old Ivoirian currently playing for Lille.

With 33 goals in the last two years, he would be adding pace, power, trickery and an end product out wide.

The comparisons that could be made between the two are eerie.

On paper, Pepe would be an exciting signing for Arsenal.

He would provide a goal scoring threat from out wide and, alongside Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, would give Arsenal plenty of options out wide.

The only downside is the flash backs to Gervinho.

It is very easy to make the comparison, with them both being 23-years-old (at the time of transfer), both play for Ivory Coast, and both coming from Lille with a similar goal scoring record. It is perhaps lazy to make the comparison.

Maybe instead we should make the comparison to another Lille alumni – Eden Hazard.

Pepe has just as much chance being the “new Gervinho” as he has being the “new Hazard”.

He will be a gamble, but every transfer is.

With no African cup of Nations until 2021, Pepe would have a much better chance of settling than Gervinho did.

Despite playing for Ivory Coast, Pepe was born in Northern France – a small town on the outskirts of Paris; basically France’s answer to Basildon. This will make it a lot easier to settle, and a lot easier for him to go home.

He would be joining a squad that contains fellow Frenchmen Matteo Guendouzi and Alexandre Lacazette, as well as French born Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The bullying of Gervinho would not be allowed to happen to Pepe with those 3 about.

Pepe would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad this summer.

Keenos