Arteta: "The Maradona is a really tough ground, but we can win"

On the eve of Arsenal's Champions League opener, the Gunners' head coach acknowledges the weight of the atmosphere awaiting him at the Maradona and throws down a challenge to Allegri, while Riccardo Calafiori says he feels in great form.

by Gennaro SanninoWednesday 9 September, 15:07 CET· 2 hours ago

Arteta — Foto: goal.com

Shortly before 21:00 CET (20:00 UK, 15:00 ET) this evening, when Napoli and Arsenal walk out at the Maradona for matchday one of the Champions League League Phase, Mikel Arteta chose his pre-match words carefully to acknowledge what his side are facing.

"It's a really tough ground. I've been to this stadium before, I know the atmosphere they can create. Their home form is really, really impressive. They have a very experienced coach. We know what challenge awaits us. We are prepared," the Spanish coach said, before adding his ambition for the night.

I'm convinced we can go there and win.

That "impressive home form" Arteta mentioned should be taken with a pinch of salt. Napoli's season at the Maradona has not told the story of a fortress so far: their opening home game, before the defeat at San Siro against Inter, ended in a 1-2 loss to Como. That a visiting side still sees the Fuorigrotta stadium as a fixture to fear says a lot about the ground's historic reputation — a respect Allegri's Napoli, in his first European night since replacing Conte, now have to back up on the pitch, not just collect in words.

The Gunners arrive unbeaten away from home in last season's Champions League, a record that carries more weight than any polite pre-match line. A side that has not lost away in such a demanding competition is not coming to Fuorigrotta for the experience.

Calafiori in form

Among the most anticipated of the visitors' XI is Riccardo Calafiori, the defender who has started the season in fine form despite a summer without a World Cup. "I went to Brazil and Argentina. I think you could see from my start to the season that I feel really good," he said, arriving at the Maradona as one of the sharpest players in Arteta's squad.

Kick-off is at 21:00, in front of a stadium that will not be sold out this evening. For Allegri, it is his first European night in charge of Napoli since Conte's departure; for Arteta and his Arsenal, the task is to prove on the pitch what he has just said in the press conference.