Champions League: Arsenal v Napoli

"If we get out of the group I would say we
have a chance. But remember Dortmund
played in the final last season, Napoli are a
very good team and Marseille are not easy.
"What we have to show now is that we have strength
[in the group stage].
"In recent years we have finished second. To finish
first is better."
It says something that Arsène Wenger is now in a
position where he has to deflect questions about
winning the Premier League and, in this case, the
Champions League.
In recent years we have finished second. To
finish first is better
Previously the tone has been about winning one
trophy, any trophy - now the candidates are queuing
up.
But then Arsenal are in vogue right now thanks to
nine straight wins in all competitions with stand-out
performers like Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil plus
a seemingly irresistible team spirit. Although early-
season form can flatter, Wenger will soon have
natural rotation as a clutch of players are close to
coming back after injury.
Despite all that, Wednesday will be vital.
Victory over Napoli at Emirates Stadium will not
exactly kill off the challenge from the 'Group of
Death' but it would deal it a mighty blow.
These two sides won on matchday one; crucially
Arsenal's was away at Marseille.
The general Champions League wisdom is this:
a) Ten points will put you through (or "10.2" as the
economist in Wenger could not help pointing out
during his press conference)
b) winning your home games is key
That victory in France means Wenger could easily top
Group F via the results at Emirates Stadium alone.
But this could be the biggest test of the season
against a side who are P7 W6 D1 L0 themselves in
Serie A.
This was entirely expected. Napoli were serious title
contenders last season and, although they sold
Edinson Cavani in the summer, new manager Rafa
Benitez invested the proceeds in, among others,
Pepe Reina and Gonzalo Higuain. The latter was a
target for Arsenal of course.
"They sold a player for £63 million and bought one
for £40 million," equated Wenger. "Napoli are not a
team who usually invests that kind of money but
their chairman is very, very ambitious.
"I'm not surprised Rafa is doing well as he has
experience. In his first job in Italy [at Inter] maybe he
took a team who had been at a high and they were
just over the hill so that was a bit of a gamble.
We will be faithful to what we always do in
the Champions League and try to have the
ball. We know that this way we stop them
from counter-attacking. This is vital as that
is their strength
"But Napoli are on the way up and he can give them
more experience and quality."
Higuain is doubtful with a thigh problem. The striker
was muted when he played at Emirates Cup in
August but Lorenzo Insigne stood out. The 22-year-
old native Neapolitan put the visitors ahead that day
and scored a stunning free-kick the win over
Dortmund.
Last season's finalists will be playing catch-up if they
fail to win at home to Marseille. While not looking too
far ahead, the Frenchman is aware that next up is
180 minutes against Jurgen Klopp's side.
"This is a massive game for that reason," said
Wenger. "It puts us in a strong position because we
then have a double confrontation with Dortmund.
"But we will be faithful to what we always do in the
Champions League and try to have the ball.
"We know that this way we stop them from counter-
attacking. This is vital as that is their strength."
Arsenal's weakness is yet to be found this season.
But Napoli's search may be the most thorough so far.
Team news:
Arsenal: Sanogo (back), Cazorla (ankle), Oxlade-
Chamberlain (knee), Podolski (hamstring), Walcott
(abdomen), Diaby (knee)
Napoli: Higuaín (thigh) Albiol (thigh), Maggio (knee)
Referee: Milorad Mazic (SRB)
Group F
P
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
Pts
Arsenal
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
Napoli
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
Borussia Dortmund
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
Marseille
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
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