Arsenal vs Napoli preview

September 30, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Arsenal vs NapoliPremier League leaders Arsenal and Serie A high-flyers Napoli square off in round two of Champions League group stage at the Emirates, with teams’ current form hinting we will witness a cracking encounter.

After Arsene Wenger failed to spend a single penny before the start of the Premier League campaign and his side losing the opening fixture to Aston Villa, another disappointing season appeared on the cards.

However, the Gunners recovered well to record back to back wins over Fulham and Tottenham, while pipping Fenerbahce to a place in the Champions League group stages.

And with Mesut Ozil arriving from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day, the team continued with impressive performances, climbing to the top of Premier League standings, while recording an important Champions League victory at Marseille.

Having continued their winning run by beating Stoke and Swansea in the league, the Gunners are brimming with confidence ahead of the all-important clash against Napoli.

However, even with Arsenal on top of their game at the moment, odds of 2.05 (21/20) offered on home win at bet365 are not that tempting.

Tomas Rosicky is expected to return from a hamstring problem, but Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski and Abou Diaby remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Ramsey – Gnabry, Ozil, Wilshire – Giroud.

Having largely impressed to achieve a second-place finish in Serie A last term, Napoli ensured they continued the uptrend in fortunes with some shrewd transfer dealings this summer.

While Edinson Cavani was the only notable departure, the Azzurri sign a number of high-quality players, with new boss Rafael Benitez doing really well to quickly integrate them into the squad.

This has seen Napoli enjoy a cracking start to the Serie A campaign, and if it hadn’t been for the unexpected slip-up against Sassuolo, the team would now be sitting at the top of the standings.

Even with Rafael Benitez resting a number of starters in weekend’s match against Genoa, the Azzurri managed to make amends for the aforementioned draw, winning 2-0 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Having produced a stunning performance to see off Borussia Dortmund in their opening Champions League fixture, Napoli are 3.80 (14/5) with BetVictor to claim maximum points at the Emirates.

With Camilo Zuniga returning into action, Rafael Benitez has only Christian Maggio on the sidelines, although Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik will be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Reina – Mesto, Albiol, Britos, Zuniga – Inler, Behrami – Callejon, Hamsik, Pandev – Higuain.

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