Napoli will have to be aggressive from kick off to make up their 2-0 deficit from the first leg. They were beaten pretty comprehensively by Arsenal, but Arsenal are a much more vulnerable team away from home. They are in a big hole, but they can dig out of it by taking advantage of Arsenal’s weakness away from home.
While the Gunners finally got an away win on Monday, they are really poor away from home and have lost their last two away matches in the Europa League to BATE Borisov and Stade Rennes. Their 2-0 lead gives them some margin for error, but they should set out to extend that lead. While it may seem sensible to sit on their 2-0 lead, an away goal could put this tie to bed.
Team News
Carlo Ancelotti will have nearly a full squad to pick from with only Amadou Diawara out with injury, according to Transfermarkt.com.
Arsenal will continue to miss Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding through their long term injuries, but they could also be without Lucas Torreira, according to Physioroom.com, after he picked up a knock against Watford.
Key Players
Napoli: Arkadiusz Milik
As Napoli have to score at least three goals to go through, they’ll need all the firepower they have. Milik is their leading goalscorer in Serie A with 17 league goals in about 2000 minutes. He started on the bench in the first leg, but it seems wise to expect him on the pitch from minute one in the second leg as Napoli chase multiple goals.
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal will likely be counter-attacking for most of the match and Aubameyang can take advantage with his pace and movement. The Gunners will be looking for that away goal to force Napoli to score four on the night and they have Aubameyang, one of the most lethal goalscorers in Europe, to try to get it.
Prediction
Napoli will likely win on the night, but it may not end up being enough to send them through.
Prediction: 3-1 Napoli
