Arsene Wenger identifies Napoli's counterpunch as Arsenal's big threat
Gunners manager identifies pace of Italians on the break as the greatest threat to his team's hopes in Champions League group stage
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his players to watch out for Napoli's rapid counter-attacks when the two high-flying sides meet at the Emirates Stadium in perhaps the most intriguing Champions League tie tonight.
Wenger learnt a lot about the Italians when they drew 2-2 in a preseason tournament and is also familiar with their manager, Rafael Benitez, from the Spaniard's time managing in the Premier League with Chelsea and Liverpool.
Napoli are unbeaten in all competitions under Benitez, who was appointed in May, and Wenger has identified the Italian side's breakaways as their big strength and earmarked diminutive playmaker Lorenzo Insigne as a key to that threat.
When they win the ball they come out very quickly ... they come out like bombs
"He is mobile, he is not tall but quick and very good in the transition from defence to attack," Wenger said. "He is a good dribbler as well and is an intelligent mover. That makes him an interesting prospect.
"That's what struck me as well in the Emirates Cup. When they win the ball they come out very quickly. With [Jose] Callejon, [Marek] Hamsik, Insigne and [Gonzalo] Higuain, they come out like bombs all the time they win the ball.
"The transition from our side from offence to defence will have to be very quick."
Premier League leaders Arsenal, who went two points clear with a 2-1 win at Swansea City on Saturday, have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, including their European group opener when they beat Olympique Marseille 2-1 in France.
Napoli are in similarly good shape, kicking off their Europe campaign with a 2-1 victory over last year's Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund, which Wenger believed would give them extra confidence.