RAMSEY PUTS ARSENAL IN THE DRIVING SEAT
But Carlo says Napoli still have a chance...
THIS was the dream all long: the Fortress Emirates. If only Arsenal could replicate this on their travels, then we really would be asking Arsene who?
Arsenal completed their 11th home victory in 12 outings against Napoli to put themselves firmly on course for the Europa League semi- finals courtesy of Aaron Ramsey’s strike and Kalidou Koulibaly, who deflected Lucas Torreira’s shot into his own net.
When the Emirates opened in 2006, this is exactly what Arsene Wenger had in mind. A stadium the envy of Europe, but a place rival clubs absolutely detested coming to.
That narrative has never really materialised, particularly during the latter years of Wenger’s reign.
But under Unai Emery, the Emirates is fast developing an aura. A mystique that is providing the backbone to the season run-in.
They’ve lost just three times at home this campaign — one of those came in the Premier League against Manchester City, the other two in both domestic cup competitions against Tottenham and Manchester United.
‘The atmosphere here at home, with our supporters, is very important and we take confidence from that,’ said Emery.
Once more Arsenal demonstrated their gusto for playing in their own back-yard, this win against Napoli was fully deserved.
Now to complete the job in Naples next Thursday.
Emery said: ‘We deserved the result tonight, we know it will be very difficult they are very strong at home.’
Returning to the Champions League remains the be-all-andend-all for Arsenal this season, and this was a significant step towards that goal.
Given the Gunners’ horrendous away form — the club have won just twice on the road since December — you can’t help but wonder if their two-goal advantage will be suffice.
‘ Three- nil would have been nearly impossible for us next week, but 2-0 give us an opportunity,’ said Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Arsenal started on the front foot, Koulibaly producing two crucial blocks to deny Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles inside the opening 10 minutes.
But there was nothing Koulibaly could do to prevent the Gunners from taking a 14th minute lead.
Once Alexandre Lacazette played the ball through the Senegal international’s legs into Maitland-Niles, the writing was on the wall for Napoli.
The Arsenal academy graduate was cool in executing his pass to Ramsey, who slotted home ruthlessly to fire Arsenal ahead.
Emery’s men deserved their lead. Their start was effervescent and purposeful, but Napoli appeared tentative — even nervous.
Once again the reality of losing Ramsey to Juventus for nothing this summer was exposed for what it is — a ridiculous decision.
‘He has been awesome, his focus is to do something very important with us,’ admitted Emery.
There’s nothing Arsenal can do to rectify that now. But what they can control is their Europa League destiny, and boy were they intent on doing just that.
Napoli looked to have the situation under wraps as Torreira drove at their back four after winning the ball in midfield — but his eventual strike from the edge of the box ricocheted off Koulibaly, who after his strong opening wasn’t living up to his reputation as one of Europe’s best defenders, and past the helpless Alex Meret to double Arsenal’s lead.
The Gunners were cruising and judging by Napoli’s anxiety, more opportunities would follow.
They duly did, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lacazette and Ramsey squandering opportunities before the break.
Carlo Ancelotti had a face like thunder at half-time. No surprises there. His side were atrocious, unbefitting a side currently second in Serie A — albeit 20 points behind leaders Juventus.
His team showed significant improvement at the start of the second period.
Koulibaly saw his effort tipped over the bar by Petr Cech in the 53rd minute before Dries Mertens, who was unmarked, mistimed his own header moments later.
But Arsenal knew there would be opportunities on the break as Napoli searched for what would have been a crucial away goal.
Ramsey saw his fierce effort saved in the 58th minute before Nacho Monreal headed narrowly over from the resultant corner.
But suddenly there seemed a anxiety about Arsenal borne out of the prospect of conceding. A 2-1 scoreline would have been a far less convincing advantage to take to Naples next week. Maitland-Niles missed a brilliant opportunity to score a third in the 70th minute before Piotr Zielinski fired over the bar from close range as Napoli continued to pour forward. But Arsenal held onto their twogoal lead, and should have added to their advantage through Ramsey and Aubameyang late on, and will fancy their chances of finishing the job next week.