Photo from Arsenal.com
Morning guys.
Champions League football kicks off for The Arsenal tonight with an away fixture against Napoli. The Italian club has started the season a bit ropey having won just one of their opening three fixtures in the league. But, they are under new management after Conte left by “mutual consent” at the end of the season with Massimiliano Allegri replacing him.
Along with the League Cup, this is the only competition Mikel Arteta hasn’t got against his name. Could this be the season I wonder? We’ll find out in May and there’s a lot to do before then.
Last season we breezed through league phase of this competition but by the time we reached the final, many of our players were running on empty or missing through injury. As suggested yesterday, the strength and depth of our squad this season means as and when Arteta opts for rotation, there should be no drop off in our football. Different players bring different things but that’s a good thing. It makes us less predictable although I wouldn’t suggest for one minute that we are predictable this time around. I thought the set-piece Martin Odegaard simply passed into the path of Riccardo Calafiori against Chelsea was brilliant. Any touch from our left back/winger/midfielder and he’d have scored I’m sure. I wonder what else Nicolas Jover has up his sleeve? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s something to look forward to seeing.
Allegri is known for being a pragmatic manager who puts defending at the top of his agenda. His teams are usually compact, organised and defensive. It’s highly unlikely that David Raya will be put under much pressure as Allegri and a high press don’t really go hand in hand. I watched a bit of their last home match against Como and Napoli didn’t seem to cope well with the press Cesc Fabregas’ team imposed on them. We’re good at that.
Napoli’s midfield strengths have been dented as Scott McTominay has needed to undergo heart surgery, surgery which was a success by the way but this match comes too soon for him. Added to Allegri’s problems is McTominay’s partner in crime, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is unavailable too. Allegri has confirmed that three out of Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka and Antonio Vergara will start in midfield.
Other Napoli players ruled out through injury are Alessandro Buongiorno, Giovane, David Neres and Luca Marianucci.
Up front they have Rasmus Hojlund, a flop at Man Utd thank goodness but he already has two goals against his name this season. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind him at Arsenal.
I digress…
Jurrien Timber has travelled to Italy which is good news but it’s too soon for Cristhian Mosquera and of course, William Saliba but that’s it’s as far as injuries go.
Regardless of their injuries and poor start to the season, Napoli are likely to be a tough nut to crack. We’ll be favourites I’m sure but Napoli will want to start their Champions League campaign well, especially after last season’s dismal competition.
Arsenal too will want the perfect start. On paper, we should be too strong for the Italians but football isn’t won or lost on paper. Performance and goals win games and I hope Mikel Arteta’s players have both tonight. Not that there is any reason to think they won’t.
Catch up in the comments.