The tie of the Europa League so far is almost here with Arsenal hosting Napoli in the first leg of their quarter-final clash tonight.
The Gunners were given a reminder of just how important this competition is to their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season after a defeat to Everton at the weekend once again intensified the race for a fourth place finish in the Premier League.
Unai Emery winning this competition for a fourth time will give them clear passage into Europe’s premier competition next season regardless of how that frantic domestic battle pans out.
Napoli meanwhile are able to put all their efforts into winning their first European trophy since 1989 with their hopes of catching Juventus in the race for the Serie A title long over.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to north London off the back of a 1-1 draw with 10-man Genoa on Saturday – with the former Chelsea boss admitting his side will be in “trouble” on Thursday if they turn in a similar performance at the Emirates.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-ups
Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka remain injury doubts ahead of the visit of the Serie A giants.
Koscielny missed Sunday’s defeat to Everton while Granit Xhaka has not returned since the international break, where he suffered a groin injury while playing for Switzerlan.
“I don’t know, Koscielny had to come back today, but yesterday we knew it wasn’t possible,” Emery said.
“I want to be positive for Thursday, but it depends on how he recovers. For Xhaka it is the same thing, he is a doubt for Thursday.”
Lorenzo Insigne and Faouzi Ghoulam both returned to the Napoli squad at the weekend. Italy international Insigne, who has been missing with a thigh injury, has 13 goals and seven assists this season.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Iwobi, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Napoli XI: Karnezis, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Callejon, Allan, Fabian, Insigne, Mertens, Milik
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Napoli
While their performances on the road remain a huge concern, Arsenal's home form under Emery has seen the Emirates become a fortress of sorts again.
Match odds
Arsenal to win: 7/5
Napoli to win: 21/10
Draw: 12/5
First goalscorer odds
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7/2
Alexandre Lacazette: 9/2
Arkadiusz Milik: 11/2
Dries Mertens: 6/1
The Gunners were given a reminder of just how important this competition is to their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season after a defeat to Everton at the weekend once again intensified the race for a fourth place finish in the Premier League.
Unai Emery winning this competition for a fourth time will give them clear passage into Europe’s premier competition next season regardless of how that frantic domestic battle pans out.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to north London off the back of a 1-1 draw with 10-man Genoa on Saturday – with the former Chelsea boss admitting his side will be in “trouble” on Thursday if they turn in a similar performance at the Emirates.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-ups
Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka remain injury doubts ahead of the visit of the Serie A giants.
Koscielny missed Sunday’s defeat to Everton while Granit Xhaka has not returned since the international break, where he suffered a groin injury while playing for Switzerlan.
“I don’t know, Koscielny had to come back today, but yesterday we knew it wasn’t possible,” Emery said.
“I want to be positive for Thursday, but it depends on how he recovers. For Xhaka it is the same thing, he is a doubt for Thursday.”
Lorenzo Insigne and Faouzi Ghoulam both returned to the Napoli squad at the weekend. Italy international Insigne, who has been missing with a thigh injury, has 13 goals and seven assists this season.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Iwobi, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Napoli XI: Karnezis, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Callejon, Allan, Fabian, Insigne, Mertens, Milik
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Napoli
While their performances on the road remain a huge concern, Arsenal's home form under Emery has seen the Emirates become a fortress of sorts again.
Match odds
Arsenal to win: 7/5
Napoli to win: 21/10
Draw: 12/5
First goalscorer odds
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7/2
Alexandre Lacazette: 9/2
Arkadiusz Milik: 11/2
Dries Mertens: 6/1
