Arsenal welcome Napoli to the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of this blockbuster Europa League Quarter Final.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal could have Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka available after recovering from respective foot and abductor injuries.
Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding remain out for the foreseeable future with knee injuries whilst Danny Welbeck is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Napoli have a full squad available with Lorenzo Insigne back from a thigh injury.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal won their only previous home game against Napoli in European competition 2-0, before losing by same result at the San Paolo during 2013-14 Champions League Group Stage.
- Only four players from Arsenal’s last home squad to face Napoli in October 2013 still remain at the club (Koscielny, Ozil, Ramsey and Monreal).
- Arsenal have won their last three home knockout ties against Italian opposition in European competition by a combined 7-1 aggregate.
- Napoli have won just one of their last away trips in Europe (W1, D2, L2).
- Six of Napoli’s nine goals since joining at the knockout stage have come in the first half.
Prediction
Arsenal will be glad to be back at home after a disappointing performance at Everton on Sunday, although victory here is probably key to finding a way past Napoli.
I am therefore expecting a scrappy game but Napoli are up against it given the recent record of Italian teams here, so am going for a home win.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Napoli
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