Arsenal will take on Napoli in the quarter-finals of the Europa League next month and the first leg will be played at the Emirates.
The Gunners have been poor away from home during their past two stages of the Europa League and it has been at home that Unai Emery’s men have turned the tide in their favour.
But many people feel that Napoli are a totally different challenge altogether and the Serie A side will not make the same mistakes that BATE and Rennes did.
While the Gunners fans are optimistic that their team can progress into the next round but the pundits feel that this is where Arsenal’s European adventure ends.
But Napoli man Dries Mertens has claimed that Arsenal could very well inflict a defeat during the two-legged tie.
Here’s why.
“The team has grown and the players have grown,” Mertens said(via Football London).
“They have lost players but have bought others.
“With some older players, they have gained more experience. And they have made Arsenal stronger.
“We are happy with the draw, as it’ll be difficult, but if you don’t win games like this, then you don’t deserve to lift the trophy,
“We faced Arsenal when Rafa Benitez was the coach, but the team has grown so much since then. We lost some players, but brought in others, while gaining experience. We’re stronger now.
“Napoli had a good Champions League group phase, especially against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, so we ought to have faith in ourselves.”
During the past two rounds, Arsenal played the second leg at home which helped them immensely but this time around the Gunners will play the first leg at home.
And if Napoli manage to take back a lead to Italy then it could be really tough for the London outfit to move into the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Read: Here’s why Arsenal boss Unai Emery was in Spain this weekend.
Read: Man United and Arsenal readying bids as Serie A giants plan to offload their star player.
