Ramsey out, Walcott in? Napoli - Arsenal predicted line-ups and stats preview

Arsenal are in control in Group F and need to avoid defeat by more than two goals to advance from to the knockout stages of the Champions League. A point in Naples will guarantee top spot, too.

Napoli, on the other hand, need to win to qualify. Their defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their last match dropped them down to third in the group, behind the Germans.

Team News

Napoli

Rafael Benitez will pick the strongest possible squad for this evening’s match but will be without his main attacking midfielder, Marek Hamsik.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Reina; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Armero; Inler, Behrami; Callejon, Pandev, Mertens; Higuain

Napoli Predicted Line-Up vs Arsenal

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is likely to weaken the team ahead of the all-important Premier League game against Manchester City at the weekend. Only Bacary Sagna from the first-team regulars this season will be missing through injury so Wenger has plenty of options. The likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are expected to be rested.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere; Rosicky, Walcott, Cazorla; Bendtner

Arsenal Predicted Line Up vs Napoli

Players to Watch

Arsenal – Carl Jenkinson

Arsenal will head to Naples seeking qualification. Their win against Dortmund set them up perfectly for a final group game in which they only have to lose 2-0 to qualify.

Napoli will pin them back as they search for a win so the counter-attack will be vital for Arsenal. Jenkinson will be important as his pace down the right-hand side will be imperative to how the Gunners progress up the pitch.

He is a threat from the wing, too, supplying three key passes in the Premier League so far, providing two assists.

Napoli – Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain has been a fantastic goalscorer ever since he broke onto the scene at Real Madrid. Unfortunately for him, due to politics at Madrid, he was forced into a move away from the club and hasn’t stopped scoring since he signed for Napoli.

Higuain has scored a third of Napoli’s goals in the Champions League this season and is the club’s top scorer in Serie A with seven goals.

If anyone is to score the goals to beat Arsenal and send the Italians through to the knockout rounds, it will be Higuain.

Gonzalo Higuain CL Goals Scored

Prediction

Napoli’s constant pressure and attacking intent may be too much for Arsenal to withstand but the same applied in the Westfalenstadion when the Gunners subdued the Dortmund attack and stole a 1-0 win.

Arsenal have been fantastic this season and I can see them scoring. However, you can’t rule out a Rafa Benitez side in Europe.

Score prediction: Napoli 2-1 Arsenal