Arsenal vs Napoli
Europa League 2018-19
Quarter-final, first leg
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Date: Thursday, 11 April, 2019
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
The tie of the Europa League so far is almost here with Arsenal hosting Napoli in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Thursday.
The Gunners were given a reminder of just how important this competition is to their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season after a defeat to Everton at the weekend once again intensified the race for a fourth place finish in the Premier League.
Unai Emery winning this competition for a fourth time will give them clear passage into Europe’s premier competition next season regardless of how that frantic domestic battle pans out.
Napoli meanwhile are able to put all their efforts into winning their first European trophy since 1989 with their hopes of catching Juventus in the race for the Serie A title long over.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to north London off the back of a 1-1 draw with 10-man Genoa on Saturday – with the former Chelsea boss admitting his side will be in “trouble” on Thursday if they turn in a similar performance at the Emirates.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-ups
Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka remain injury doubts ahead of the visit of the Serie A giants.
Koscielny missed Sunday’s defeat to Everton while Granit Xhaka has not returned since the international break, where he suffered a groin injury while playing for Switzerlan.
“I don’t know, Koscielny had to come back today, but yesterday we knew it wasn’t possible,” Emery said.
“I want to be positive for Thursday, but it depends on how he recovers. For Xhaka it is the same thing, he is a doubt for Thursday.”
Lorenzo Insigne and Faouzi Ghoulam both returned to the Napoli squad at the weekend. Italy international Insigne, who has been missing with a thigh injury, has 13 goals and seven assists this season.
Arsenal XI: Leno, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Iwobi, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Napoli XI: Karnezis, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Callejon, Allan, Fabian, Insigne, Mertens, Milik
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Napoli
While their performances on the road remain a huge concern, Arsenal's home form under Emery has seen the Emirates become a fortress of sorts again.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Arsenal to win: 7/5
- Napoli to win: 19/10
- Draw: 5/2
First goalscorer odds
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7/2
- Alexandre Lacazette: 9/2
- Arkadiusz Milik: 11/2
- Dries Mertens: 6/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can also follow all the action on Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Arsenal vs Napoli tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to Arsenal's website.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two sides have been paired together just once before – in the group stages of the 2013-14 group stages. Both games ended as 2-0 home wins.
