Review – ARSENAL 2-0 NAPOLI
A superb performance last night to put us in the driving seat for the second leg next week in Naples. Whilst we all certainly would’ve taken this result before the game, there is a hint of regret that we didn’t finish the tie off yesterday, with a lack of ruthlessness potentially costing us. We started quickly, playing with great intensity, epitomised by our energetic and mobile midfield pivot in Ramsey and Torreira, who pressed effectively throughout.
Once we got our goals in an emphatic 11 minute period we controlled the game, limiting Napoli’s attacking threat and looking threatening ourselves with the guile of Ozil spearheading our creativity. They started the second period with a bit of renewed optimism, pressing us back for large periods of the half. However, we always looked like threatening on the break and if it weren’t for some good goalkeeping and some poor finishing we really could have and ought to have put the tie to bed.
Yes they had a few chances throughout the game, but on the whole our physical back 3 dominated and nullified their agile front 3, and I see no reason why that can’t be the case next week. On the offensive front, some of the moves we constructed were artistic and almost mesmerising, moving the ball around with pace and incision.
So we move onto Watford on Monday, but let’s see if you agree with my ratings for yesterday
PLAYER RATINGS vs Napoli:
0️⃣1️⃣ Cech 7
0️⃣5️⃣ Sokratis 8
0️⃣6️⃣ Koscielny 8
1️⃣8️⃣ Monreal 7
1️⃣5️⃣ Maitland-Niles 8
1️⃣1️⃣ Torreira 9
0️⃣8️⃣ Ramsey 9
3️⃣1️⃣ Kolasinac 6
1️⃣0️⃣ Ozil 8
1️⃣4️⃣ Aubameyang 7
0️⃣9️⃣ Lacazette 6
0️⃣7️⃣ Mkhitaryan 7
1️⃣7️⃣ Iwobi 6
0️⃣4️⃣ Elneny 6
Tell me your thoughts below and if you don’t understand some of my ratings, ask below and I’ll give some justification ⬇️??
Alfie