Premier League leaders Arsenal fly to Italy to take on Rafa Benitez’s Napoli, hoping to avoid a defeat by three goals or more in order to advance in the knockout phase of this year’s Champions League. Arsene Wenger’s side are more than capable of toppling the Partenopei, but a travel to Stadio San Paolo has always been daunting for any side on this planet. The Group of Death has lived up to the expectations and tonight’s encounters in Group F means any two of the three teams among Napoli, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund can qualify. As of now, Arsenal are the best placed to qualify but then again anything can happen in the mad scramble for the quest of qualification.
So here at the three tactical battles which will eventually decide Napoli’s huge encounter against Arsenal.
The Napoli front line against Arsenal’s defence:
As things stand, Arsenal’s right back Bacary Sagna is expected to miss out on this crucial tie which means young Carl Jenkinson will fill his place on the right. This might just give the likes of Lorenzo Insigne or Dries Mertens whoever plays on the right to have a go at the Gunner’s back four. Jose Maria Callejon will be also up against the equally pacy Kieran Gibbs but the game might just be decided in the final third as Higuain and Pandev are expected to go up against Mertesacker and Koscielny. To their credit, Arsenal have been brilliant at the back albeit the French-German pair, but make no mistake it will come under a huge test against a hungry Napoli outfit who will look to score three goals in order to qualify.