Arsenal Vs Napoli Europa League 11 April Match Preview
Arsenal battle another Europa league big gun, Serie A’s Napoli at the Emirates Stadium for a place in the semifinals of the competition.
Arsenal might have made light work of their opponents in the group stages but they have had to win knockout ties only with home advantage.
Arsenal
The Gunners would be coming off the back of a 1-0 loss to Everton at Goodison Park. Arsenal are on course for a top four finish and Europa league glory – even though that might all change in an instant – in the first year of Unai Emery.
The North London club have been particularly spectacular at home. Indeed, they have lost only one game in 17 Europa League games. They have also won 14 and drawn two of their 17 home league games so far.
The home form of the Gunners cannot be overemphasized and a strong win at the Emirates could be instrumental to their winning this tie.
Recent form (Europa League): W W L W L W
Napoli
Napoli might have had hopes of going far in the Champions League this term but they were dealt a tricky blow in the group stages and succumbed to Europa league football.
They are 20 points adrift of Serie A leaders, Juventus and have all their fantasies and dreams all thwarted right in their faces.
An Europa league title would be very much a compensation for the team. That said, they will be coming into this Anglo-Italian affair off the back of a 2-1loss at Empoli last week followed up by a 1-1 home draw against Genoa on Sunday. They will however be hopeful that their game against Arsenal comes out differently.
Recent form (Europa League): W W W L W
Team News
Granit Xhaka and Laurent Koscielny are doubtfuls for Arsenal
Amadou Diawara and Raul Albiol are carrying injuries and David Ospina is also expected to be an absentee because of a head injury suffered last month for Napoli.
Possible Starting Line-Up
Arsenal:
Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Kolasinac; Iwobi; Aubameyang, Lacazette
Napoli:
Meret; Malcuit, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Rui; Callejon, Allan, Fabian Ruiz, Zielinski; Imsigne, Mertens
