Here is how Arsenal could line up against Napoli in the first leg of the Europa League Quarterfinals at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
Arsenal will take on Napoli in the Europa League Quarterfinals in what might prove to be an exciting counter at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. These two sides have gone head-to-head in the Champions League beforehand and produced breathtaking football when Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez were in charge of their respective sides five years ago.
🛫 Destination: London!
⚽️ #ARSNAP
🏆 @EuropaLeague #UEL
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/gWRZsvKN6J— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) April 10, 2019
The Gunners have been unbeatable at their own turf, but the record on road have been underwhelming, to say the least. Unai Emery’s side lost the first leg 3-1 to Stade Rennais in the previous round, but completed a resounding comeback in front of their fans by beating them 3-0 last month.
Napoli, on the other hand, survived a scare from Red Bull Salzburg in the second leg to go through to the last eight of the competition by beating them 4-3 on aggregate after securing a 3-0 lead at San Paolo. Carlo Ancelotti pointed out that the game against Salzburg was the poorest game with Napoli this campaign.
Neither Arsenal nor Napoli is seen as favourites as both the sides eye a spot in the semifinals of the Europa League. The Gunners are battling hard for a Champions League spot, whereas, Napoli are sitting second and eye a silverware this campaign.
Team News
Arsenal published injury news ahead of the huge clash against the Italian outfit on Thursday. Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka, who picked up injuries last month are being assessed by the club and could play a part in the game tomorrow. Whereas, the long-term absentees Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, and Danny Welbeck will continue to sit on the sidelines against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
🗞 The latest on our squad ahead of @sscnapoli
🏆 #UEL
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 10, 2019
Numerous sources have confirmed both Granit Xhaka and Laurent Koscielny took part in the full training!
Arsenal heavily missed both Koscielny (left foot) and Xhaka (left groin) in their last outing and having these veterans back would be a major boost as Arsenal take on Napoli! pic.twitter.com/ravN4JFflb
— Arsenal Editor (@Arsenal_Editor) April 10, 2019
Unai Emery is likely to bring his team with a conservative 3-5-2 formation. Bernd Leno could be recalled along with Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi, and makeshift center-back Nacho Monreal to guard the backline. Lucas Torreira, Aaron Ramsey, and Matteo Guendouzi could make the midfield three, along with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac as full-backs.
✅ Back for the @PremierLeague
✅ Ready for the @EuropaLeagueGood to see you, @LTorreira34 👊
🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/C7FYoRTASF
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 9, 2019
The Gunners could bring their striker duo – Alexander Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to give constant headache for the Italian outfit defence.
PREDICTED LINEUP:
Arsenal: Bernd Leno, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Ainsley Maitland Niles, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Aaron Ramsey, Sead Kolasinac, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette.
