Glorious Night in Europe.........Arsenal is on Fire!!!!!

It was a glorious night. It was great night. It was night that enforces the critics to eat their words. A few self-proclaimed Pundits have been spreading negative words about Arsenal and how we finally slip out of top 4 and will fail in Europe. Well this is a fitting reply to those smug faces, which have been generous enough to still count United as title contenders, but don’t think Arsenal can make it.

But Now we have shut them up. The Doubter still might say “Ohh but Higuain was not playing “ but, it would not have mattered even if he played. Napoli were unable to find a single clear cut chance inside the box. They tried to shoot mostly outside the box. The only player who looked to have caused a bit of Problems were Insigne and 2nd Half substitute Drei Mertens.

The First half, Arsenal played in a resplendent Fashion. They were so swashbuckling that they scored 2 goals in first 15 minutes and threatened the Napoli goal, time and time again with Sharp movement and clever interchange of passes. Arsenal started with two changes made to the line up from Swansea’s match. Both Wilshere and Gnabry were taken out from the flanks and were replaced by Ramsey and Rocisky. Arteta took up the role in double-pivot alongside Flamini.  We bossed the possession in the first 15 minutes. It was 82%-18% possession. While we completed 100 passes in 15 minutes, Napoli, were only able to make 24 Passes.  Giroud, played an absolute blinder of the game by being the instigator of both the goals. He started the first goal by flicking the ball on to the path of Ramsey, who then ran to the corner of the box to cut it back for Ozil to finish a sumptuous side footed Volley. It was a perfect team goal. The second, was again started by Giroud, who passed it to Ozil, who ran past his marker and returned the favour for Giroud to finish in a crowded 6 yard box.  Rocisky, OZil and Ramsey were interchanging their positions,  throughout the match. Napoli back line simply looked out of sorts against our attacking 4. Rocisky, who came into the side after a month long injury started sharply. Sometimes, it looked like he lacked a bit of match fitness and training, as he misplaced a few passes and didn’t communicate enough. But, he still got in a good position to score but he lost he ball in the last moment. Flamini was immense and so was Ramsey yet again. Flamini made 3 Tackles and Ramsey made 4. Arteta also had a good game too in the center of the pitch.The double-pivot of Arteta & Flamini looked solid through out the game. The back line was super. Mert was super calm and Kos, was at his usual his feisty self. Sagna and Gibbs did their Job well to keep things quiet in the wings. 

As said in my post Arsenal Conceding Possession in 2^nd Half Coincidence??..or Tactical defending??, we saw Arsenal concede possession and focus more on quick counter attacks in second half and they almost knicked a  third with Arteta  hitting his shot straight on to Reina, who made an instinctive save. The  Napoli forwards, never really bothered Sczczeny, who never looked to be in any trouble.  He was quick enough to claim corners and Free kicks throughout the match.

It was a dominating performance against the undefeated team in Serie- A, who have even defeated last year’s UEFA CL finalist, Borrussia Dortmund. More of this performances in future please. We have now to focus on the 3 points on Saturday against WBA.  I can smell 13^th consecutive away win on the horizon…..Come On You Gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1