No doubt, Champions League is far more competitive and ruling than a lesser paced Europa League but the time has come for the tasty ties.
Arsenal have been handed a tough assessment in the Italian giants Napoli. We may even call it a David Ospina derby, if the player is allowed to play against his parent side. The true potential of Arsenal will now be tested as it would had been if they were to play Champions League, however, they are facing a Champion-esque opponent in talent studded Napoli.
The Gunners will have to be clinical in front of the goal against a more technical side and an experienced coach in Ancelotti. Arguably Europa League’s best opponent on paper, Arsenal would not have wanted either of Chelsea or Napoli to face so early, nevertheless, the Gunners won’t fear any opponent and their recent form as well as comeback have monitored a gain in confidence for the club.
In a star-studded attack of Napoli, Lorenzo Insigne, Mertens and Koulibaly hold the key and to solve the knockout stage perplexity, Arsenal would have to do plentiful homework on these three. Aubameyang and Lacazette will have to quantify their talent onto the pitch. Sokratis and Koscielny on the other half of the pitch will be our trumps.
🤩 The quarter-finals draw in full 🤩
Most exciting game? 🤔#UEL | #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/W3OBTlHM3U
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 15, 2019
Alexander Lacazette was confident enough after the comeback win against Rennes that his side will surely overcome any opponent and not be overawed by one.
Lacazette said: “We know for the next game we have to be better in both games.”
“We knew after the first leg even if we lost if we play our game we could win and go to the next round.
“We are confident. We won against United this weekend, we played well.
“We listened to what the coach asked us to do and we got better.”
“If we want to win we have to play well in every game, we will stay focused for the next round,” he said.
“I don’t care about which team, we know we have to beat every team.”
We don’t care about favourites or not, we have to play well and win every game.”
Hence, if there is any team who would have been able to face Napoli it would have been no other than Arsenal who relish the talent they posses and the ability to out power any standing opponents. The Emery era has a resolve to solve and a point to prove that they are no more a Champions League subdued side.
