Napoli coach defends low block in Arsenal defeat

Napoli's head coach used his post-match press conference to defend the team's approach after the 0-1 defeat to Arsenal: "It was a game where, unfortunately, we sat in a low block, because Arsenal are simply a different level."

He stood by the tactics: "We played our own game with a low block, on the counter, we gave it a go," adding that in open play Arsenal "spurned a fair few chances."

Napoli, he admitted, lacked the final pass and "a bit of courage." "We miss that touch of class from a top player," he said, referring to De Bruyne, someone capable of scoring where others would miss. He added that Napoli "should probably play a bit more on the front foot" to let De Bruyne "touch the ball a bit more."

Asked about a costly error and the team's lack of cutting edge in front of goal, he said Napoli "can't expect to score five or six times from every chance" and that with more chances created, the side "might have had more of a chance."

Arsenal's coach: 'We deserved to win'

Arsenal's coach reflected on a nervy finish and admitted a risk was taken: "We maybe took a risk on that De Bruyne chance, but we still managed to win the game, and I think we deserved to win it."

On Ødegaard, who scored the winner and seemed to take control of the game at one point, the Arsenal coach praised his midfielder's mentality: "It's important for players to have that personality — if it doesn't come off first time, you keep insisting, you keep trying, shooting, looking to get out of your position." The goal itself, he added, was "exceptional."

He also spoke about the team's movement off the ball, saying Arsenal are now able to "win the ball and attack," finding "space in a different way" than in the past, with Ødegaard and Saka often playing "between the lines."

He closed by noting Arsenal's 13 wins so far this season in the league and cup, calling that experience an advantage in this competition, and praised his players' attitude out of possession too.