Arsenal vs Napoli: Who do you actually trust to do their jobs?
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal have one job against Napoli, and one job only – don’t screw up. They have the quality, now just get the job done. Which leads to one crucial question.
Arsenal strode to a pretty impressive 2-0 win over Napoli in the first leg of this tie, and they showcased how top-quality they are when they have a nice array of options to choose from and, of course, when they play in the safety of the Emirates.
Going on the road, as we saw on either side of the Napoli match, is always a different story. They were embarrassed 1-0 again Everton, and they were spared embarrassment only by the ankle of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against 10-man Watford. Which was a really awkward match to watch.
Napoli are a better team, plain and simple. A much different team, but a better team too. And the Gunners are going to need their best players in their best positions to ensure that they can hold onto this lead and take the tie on aggregate.
Unai Emery has done a lot of experimentation with his guys this year, but this is one match where there should be as little experimentation as possible. As in, the No. 1 thing Emery should be focused on is playing the guys he trusts intrinsically.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win
And avoid anyone else, where possible.
Which raises the question – who on our team is trusted to do the job at hand? Honestly, when you start thinking about it, you may be surprised with how many there actually are.
Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis are both trust-worthy, and can be counted on to do their job. No one should have been questioning if they’d be starting. Nacho Monreal is trustworthy as far as his abilities go, even if he isn’t as gifted as some other players.
Hate me if you must, but I trust Granit Xhaka to do his job just as much as I trust Koscielny and Sokratis. Which accounts for a foundation to this club that is trustworthy and solid.
Moving up, I would add Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette to that list, though with their inclusion, I start to get more into the guys I kind of trust, but I’m not entirely sure. Like Alex Iwobi, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sead Kolasinac. Guys I want to trust, but maybe don’t yet.
All in all though, you look at that spine – Koscielny, Sokratis, Monreal, Xhaka, Ramsey, Lacazette – these are the guys I trust to do their job. Whoever you put around them will benefit from their solidity. We can do this.