Ramsey Strike Inspires Arsenal Past Napoli, Late Alonso Goal Lifts Chelsea

12th April 2019 - by AFP

English clubs nose ahead in their UEFA Europa League first leg ties as Gunners win 2-0 at the Emirates and Chelsea emerge 1-0 victors

Arsenal's Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final, first leg, football match between Arsenal and Napoli at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 11, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

At The Emirates, Ramsey opened the scoring with a cool finish to cap a flowing move and the Gunners were further ahead before half-time when Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly deflected Lucas Torreira's shot into his own net
Having won the Europa League three times during his tenure as Sevilla boss, Emery knows the value of a first leg lead and he sent out an attacking line-up featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil
Maurizio Sarri's under-strength side struggled to find any rhythm for large spells, but grew into the game after Eden Hazard was introduced off the bench just before the hour mark

LONDON, England- Arsenal look in good shape to reach the Europa League semi-finals after deservedly beating Napoli in the first leg of their last-eight tie as a Marcus Alonso late goal handed Chelsea a precious 1-0 away victory at Slavia Prague.

At The Emirates, Ramsey opened the scoring with a cool finish to cap a flowing move and the Gunners were further ahead before half-time when Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly deflected Lucas Torreira's shot into his own net.

Arsenal couldn't add to the lead after the break, but they had done enough to put themselves in pole position ahead of the second leg in Naples on April 18.

It was a much-needed success for Emery, who this week called on his players to embrace the pressure of regaining their Champions League status after two successive seasons out of Europe's elite club competition.

With Arsenal sitting fifth in the Premier League after Sunday's damaging defeat at Everton, the Gunners can no longer rely on their domestic fortunes to qualify for the Champions League.

That gives the Europa League extra importance, underlining why Emery had played strong line-ups in the tournament all season to keep the option of reaching the Champions League by lifting the trophy.

Having won the Europa League three times during his tenure as Sevilla boss, Emery knows the value of a first leg lead and he sent out an attacking line-up featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil.

Emery's men were quickly on the front foot and Koulibaly showed why he is a target for Manchester United with a two brave blocks to stop shots from Aaron Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Despite Koulibaly's best efforts, Arsenal needed just 15 minutes to take the lead.

A stylish move carved Napoli open as Ramsey and Ozil exchange passes in midfield before Lacazette fed Maitland-Niles.

Ramsey had continued his run into the Napoli area and the Wales midfielder met Maitland-Niles' pass with a composed close-range finish for his sixth goal of the season.

It was the perfect way for Ramsey to announce himself to an Italian audience ahead of his close-season move to Juventus.

Smooth transition

Torreira is one of the midfielders who will take over from Ramsey and the Uruguayan showed why that should be a smooth transition as he helped double Arsenal's advantage in the 25th minute.

Tigerishly dispossessing Fabian Ruiz inside the Napoli half, Torreira accelerated towards the penalty area, cleverly checked back to open up more space and drilled a low shot that took a hefty deflection off Koulibaly as it looped into the net.

Chelsea players celebrate Marcos Alonso's goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg soccer match between SK Slavia Prague and Chelsea FC at Sinobo Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic on April 11, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

Napoli are trailing a distant second in Serie A behind Juventus and had endured disappointing results in their previous two games.

The lack of cohesion and confidence in his team made it a far different experience for Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti than his last visit to the Emirates in 2017, which ended in a 5-1 Champions League victory with Bayern Munich.

Napoli keeper Alex Meret was at full-stretch to keep out Aubameyang's long-range blast as Arsenal threatened to embarrass the Italians.

Without a win in seven visits to England, Napoli's hopes of ending that barren run dwindled even further when Lorenzo Insigne blazed over from close range.

Napoli tried to rally after the interval, but Koulibaly's header was tipped over by Petr Cech, while Piotr Zielinski blew their best chance when he missed the target with only the keeper to beat.

Arsenal remained dangerous and it took a good save from Meret to deny Ramsey before Maitland-Niles was also frustrated by the over-worked Napoli keeper.

Ramsey should have put the result beyond doubt when he shot over in the closing stages, but Arsenal will still travel to Italy in confident mood next week.

In Prague Alonso timed his run perfectly to meet Willian's right-wing cross with a firm header four minutes from time in Prague.

Maurizio Sarri's under-strength side struggled to find any rhythm for large spells, but grew into the game after Eden Hazard was introduced off the bench just before the hour mark.

Europa League QF first leg results

At London

Arsenal (ENG) 2 (Ramsey 15, Koulibaly 25-og) Napoli (ITA) 0

At Vila-real, Spain

Villarreal (ESP) 1 (Cazorla 36-pen) Valencia (ESP) 3 (Guedes 6, 90+3, Wass 90+1)

At Lisbon

Benfica (POR) 4 (Felix 21-pen, 43, 54, Dias 50) Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) 2 (Jovic 40, Paciencia 72)

At Prague

Slavia Prague (CZE) 0 Chelsea (ENG) 1 (Alonso 86)

Second legs to be played on Thursday, April 18