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Arsenal overcame a stern test against Italian giants Napoli after securing a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win. The Gunners will face Valencia in the semi finals of the Europa League as Unai Emery looks to win his first trophy for his new club.
Napoli started the game with great vigour as Carlo Ancelotti's side looked to reduce a two goal deficit from the first leg. A flurry of chances were missed by Arkadiusz Milik, Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne as the Italians failed to get the all important early goal. Problems compounded for the hosts afrer Alexandre Lacazette's beautiful free kick found the back of the net on 36 minutes.
The goal provided Arsenal a much needed three goal cushion and the Gunners grew in confidence in the second half. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a glorious opportunity to double Arsenal's lead on the night after he saw his close range effort excellently thwarted by Alex Meret. Despite having major share of possession, Napoli could not find the equaliser as Arsenal defended valiantly in a 1-0 victory.
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Without wasting any time, let us take a look at the talking points from the clash in Naples.
#5 Emery gets his tactics right as Arsenal secure second consecutive away win
Arsenal secured a semi final spot in Emery's first season in charge after overcoming a tricky opposition in Napoli. Over the two legs, Emery tactically outsmarted Ancelotti, as the Italian side drew blanks in both legs, in response to Arsenal's three goals.
Emery started with a back three of Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis and Nacho Monreal, who were shielded by a midfield duo of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira. This formation provided Arsenal the perfect balance between attack and defence, as the Gunners snuffed out danger in the form of Napoli's counters.
The midfield duo of Xhaka and Torreira got going from kick-off and did not allow Napoli to play their intricate brand of football. Torreira continuously pressed the likes of Allan and Insigne, as Napoli's midfield and forwards were denied enough time in possession.
Xhaka, on the other hand acted as the link between attack and defence, executing his task to perfection as his passing ability and vital tackles helped Arsenal carry out their transitions to perfection.
Speaking of the defence, the back three centre-backs marshalled Napoli's front three of Milik, Callejon and Insigne. The defensive contributions of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac helped the back three double up on Napoli's forwards as Arsenal secure a well earned clean sheet and progress to the semi-finals.
#4 Lack of sharpness in front of goal costs Napoli a semi-final spot
Napoli boss opted to start with a front three of Insigne, Callejon and Milik as they looked to overturn a two goal deficit in the second leg against Arsenal. This decision saw Dries Mertens start from the bench against Unai Emery's Arsenal.
After having found themselves two goals down, it was important for the Gli Azzurri to score an early goal to get back in the tie. Instead, Napoli squandered quite a few brilliant chances to get back in the game.
Callejon had a brilliant chance in the 17th minute to round off a wonderfully executed counter as the former Real Madrid forward saw his attempt saved by the legs of Petr Cech. A few minutes later, Milik found the back of the net but was denied by the linesman as the Polish International strayed offside.
Napoli had a perfect chance to claw their way back in the tie, but poor decision making and finishing did them no favour as they found themselves having a mountain to climb following Lacazette's stunner nine minutes from half time.
The second half was the same as Napoli enjoyed majority of possession, but couldn't make it count and continued to be poor in front of goal. Milik yet again missed a guilt edge opportunity as he failed to convert a tap in from close range. Lorenzo Insigne also cut a frustrating figure as the Italian missed quite a few opportunities, mainly the one-on-one where he shot straight at Cech.
It was a combination of the above mentioned factors that saw Napoli eliminated from the Europa League against a well organised Arsenal side.
#3 A resolute defensive display helps Arsenal overcome Napoli
Arsenal went into the second leg following a 2-0 victory at home in the first leg. Emery started the game where main job of the centre-backs was the contain Napoli's front three.
The back three were brilliant on the night as Lacazette's strike saw Arsenal secure a 1-0 victoy in the second leg. Sokratis and Koscielny stood out in the game at Naples, as the experienced duo made numerous great interceptions and tackles.
They were well organized and caught Milik offside on countless occasions. Coming to the wing-backs, both Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac helped the back three by doubling up on Napoli's forwards, denying them the required space and time to dictate proceedings.
Even when the back three were beaten, Cech stepped forward and made couple of fine saves to deny Napoli. In terms of numbers, Koscielny won three out of four duels, eight clearances and three recoveries. Sokratis led the back line to great effect, making three recoveries and not being dispossessed on any occasion.
Maitland-Niles was impressive once again as the youngster ended the game with a pass success rate of 85%, made two interceptions and nine recoveries. Overall, Arsenal are improving defensively which is a huge positive as they look to end the year on high by finishing in the top four and winning the Europa League.
#2 A two goal deficit in the first leg left Napoli with a mountain to climb
Napoli left themselves with a lot of work to do as they hosted Arsenal at the San Paolo Stadium. Arsenal came into the second leg with a two goal advantage thanks to Aaron Ramsey's strike and an own goal from Koulibaly.
The hosts went into this game knowing well that an early goal was a must if they wanted to find a route back in the tie. Napoli enjoyed most of the possession early on and created decent chances, only to be denied by some lacklustre finishing and brilliant organisation by Arsenal's back five.
Napoli had a number of glorious chances in the first leg which fell to Insigne and Mertens. Had they converted those chances, it could have been a different game altogether. Arsenal, on the other hand made use of their chances and could have put the tie to bed in the first leg itself as Aubameyang and Lacazette missed sitters in the first leg.
The Italian outfit grew increasingly frustrated as they looked to cut down the deficit through an early goal, which also resulted in them losing composure in front of goal. Moreover, Lacazette's strike in the 36th minute saw them having to score four goals in the next 54 minutes against a well organised Arsenal side on the night.
Milik and Insigne missed some easy chances which they would have converted on some other day. Due to lack of composure and insipid finishing, Napoli found themselves in a difficult position of having to score four, which resulted in them committing mistakes and Arsenal exerting a stronghold on the tie.
A more phased display over the two legs from Ancelotti's side could have seen Napoli have a better chance to progress to the semis.
#1 Lacazette's goal provided Arsenal a cushion in win against Napoli
Lacazette scored a sensational free kick against Napoli, which eventually saw Arsenal win the game 1-0 (aggregate score: 3-0). Before the goal, Napoli looked to score one early on and put Arsenal under tremendous pressure.
However, Arsenal's back line was up for the task at hand and defended wonderfully against a dangerous Napoli side. The visitors absorbed all pressure and finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Lacazette stepped up to take the free kick and bent the ball around the wall, catching Alex Meret flat footed.
Arsenal secured a three goal cushion through the Frenchman's strike, which left Napoli with a Herculean task at hand. Despite dominating possession, Napoli made numerous errors in midfield and failed to finish some guilt edge opportunities. Emery's side marshalled Napoli to great effect and did not allow the likes of Zielinski, Allan and Fabian to play in between the lines and assist the front three.
Napoli's introduction of Dries Mertens did not have the desired effect as he was contained by Arsenal's wing backs. Arsenal had the liberty to play in second gear and secure a well deserved away win. Emery's side are showing the required nous and maturity to navigate through the final stages of the Europa League.
