FT: NAPOLI 0-1 ARSENAL (0-3 ag.)
A superb win in a hostile European ground where elite European teams notoriously struggle. Arsenal were disciplined, well structured and ruthless; all features of our performance I called for in my preview. We started with intensity and purpose, looking to attack Napoli and secure our passage to the Semi-final early.
It seems that almost every single midfielder in Europe and South America is being considered as a replacement for the soon to depart Aaron Ramsey, and you can now throw the name of Kerem Demirbay into the mix.
The one huge advantage Arsenal have in the Europa League
The final four teams in the Europa League all have solid chances of lifting the trophy in Baku on Wednesday 29th May but we have one huge advantage over our rivals and that is none other than our manager Unai Emery.
Before the game against Napoli, there was so many that thought we could be dumped out of the Europa League because of our abysmal away form and I must admit, I was one them.
I actually predicted that we would progress but I was far from certain but the lads showed last night that we really had nothing to worry about.
So, Arsenal win their second game on the bounce 1-0 away from home, that is two clean sheets and unlike the first of those wins over Watford in the Premier League, this one over Napoli was impressive.
It is being reported in Germany that we are in the race to sign Fortuna Düsseldorf striker Benito Raman.
According to Sports Witness citing SportBild, we are one of two Premier League clubs interested in the forward, along with Everton.
There have been many arguments between Arsenal fans as to whether we should have allowed Aaron Ramsey to leave the Emirates on a free transfer at the end of this season. One of the ongoing statements was that (like Jack Wilshere) Aaron spent too much time in the treatment room to warrant a massive pay rise, and the fact that he has only averaged around 25 games per season in his time here (and only 4 goals a season) seems to bear that theory out.
There are very people that predicted an easy Arsenal win last night considering that Napoli are the second best team in Italy and had only lost once at home to Juventus all season. But we made it look easy and controlled the game from the beginning, and once Lacazette scored the opening goal it was like a walk in the park for the lads.