The team selection looked ideal for an away game, compact in midfield and some heavy duty firepower up front to hopefully snatch that crucial away goal.
First Half
Napoli had a few half chances but many of their attacks were halted by the lino’s flag.
Rambo pinged a hammy and was replaced by Micki in preference to Mesut, presumably in the running about a lot stakes. Almost immediately Laca was fouled, a distance out from the Napoli goal. He stepped up, fooled the goalkeeper which side he was going and popped it over the wall into an empty net. 1-0 away from home and just what the doctor ordered.
Action Images via reuters
Napoli decided their best hope of getting back into the game was to blame the ref for their predicament in the hope of intimidating him into favouring them. During that first half he stood up superbly against their efforts.
Second Half
A couple of minutes after the restart Auba had the simplest of chances to make it 2-0 and take us completely out of sight. His 98% strike rate of early season has truly gone.
Napoli’s crossing, shooting and passing in the final third were so woeful during that second half that their best chance came when Nacho inadvertently diverted the ball towards his own net but Cech was right on the spot.
Highlight of the half was Big Sok telling Koulibaly that he was a cheating sod in Greek while making it look like he was counselling him on what a harsh world it is. Priceless.
Papa counsels Koulibaly
Conclusion
Excellent from The Arsenal.
Napoli’s first defeat at home to an English side and yet again we confounded expectations with a measured and controlled performance. Napoli were awful but let that not detract from a great team performance.
An away goal and a shut out – not many predicted that!
Valencia await in the semis.
Mertens thinks we weren’t very good. Ahem, we beat you both home and away without breaking sweat or conceding. I reckon you need to take a long hard look at yourself, pal.
Hopefully Rambo’s hammy doesn’t mean his Arsenal career is now over.
AFP- Getty Images
Ratings
Cech – great to see him kicking the ball rather than putting pressure on the defenders with that passing out from the back garbage – fine save from Monreal … 7
Maitland-Niles – a sound performance, covered well, attacked well, he continued his resurgent form since his ‘mare at Goodison … 8
Sokratis – a personal favourite – solid as a block of marble and with as much facial expression, though his counselling of Koulibaly was a joy to watch … 8
Koscielny – captain, my captain – class throughout … 8
Monreal – Nacho’s bandy legs covered a lot of turf and he played dependably … 8
Kolasinac – combative and useful in possession … 7
Torreira – terrier-like from first to last – was happy that there was a smaller player on the pitch … 8
Xhaka – did what was required before being subbed and his groin rested … 7
Ramsey – strived to create the goal which ironically came straight after he left the pitch … 7
Lacazette – looked fed up to go off – neither he nor Auba had held the ball up that well but it’s not their strength – ran his heart out … 7
Aubameyang – got better as the game went on – shame he missed the sitter … 7
Subs
Mkhitaryan – played reasonably well and nearly created that second goal with a timely challenge and then intuitive pass – so much better than Monday night (not that that was too difficult) … 6
Elneny – brought on to give Xhaka a rest – did what he’s good at … 6
Iwobi – presumably his ball retention skills were the reason for his appearance but couldn’t really hang on to it for long … 6
Managers
AP
Emery – superb – great team selection – outfoxed his opposing manager … 9
Wagnerotti – no answer to Arsenal’s superiority – bringing on a series of players whose final ball was just as poor as their predecessors was never going to work … 2
Ref – Pretty good game – not wanting to grab the limelight – Mike Dean take note, it’s not about you … 8
chas
Posted by Bongo Hedge 
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