Allegri: Napoli must raise their level against ‘best team in Europe’ Arsenal

Massimiliano Allegri has warned Napoli that they face a formidable Arsenal side in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, describing Mikel Arteta’s team as the best in Europe and demanding a response after successive Serie A defeats by Como and Inter.

Arsenal will host Napoli in the opening phase of the Champions League, with Allegri acknowledging the scale of the challenge awaiting his players.

“We will face a strong team. They won the Premier League last season and reached the final of this competition,” Allegri told reporters.

The Napoli manager also highlighted the defensive improvements made by Arsenal under Arteta. He said the English club had conceded very few goals since their defence was reorganised by the Spanish manager.

“Arteta has reorganised his defence, and the team has conceded very few goals,” Allegri added.

Arsenal’s defensive record, according to Allegri, is one of the main reasons Napoli must produce a technically outstanding performance if they are to compete effectively in London.

“Playing in the Champions League gives you motivation and enthusiasm. We will face the best, and we must deliver a high-level technical performance,” he said.

Allegri’s comments came after Napoli suffered two consecutive defeats in Serie A. They were beaten by Como and then Inter, having previously started their league campaign with a victory over Genoa.

The manager said those results had exposed areas that needed immediate attention, particularly Napoli’s work without the ball. He called on the team to defend collectively with greater discipline than it did in the two losses.

“When we do not have possession of the ball, we must defend better as a team. We did not meet expectations against Como and Inter,” Allegri said.

Napoli’s meeting with Arsenal therefore represents both a demanding European test and an opportunity to correct their recent direction. Allegri stressed the importance of responding collectively, while recognising that the quality of their opponents would leave little room for mistakes.

The Italian side enter the match after defeats by Como and Inter, results that followed their opening league win against Genoa. Arsenal, meanwhile, are presented by Allegri as a team with significant recent success, a strong defensive structure and the experience of having reached the final of the Champions League.

For Napoli, the immediate task is to match that level of intensity and quality. Allegri believes the competition itself should provide the necessary stimulus, but he has made clear that enthusiasm alone will not be enough against an Arsenal side he regards as the strongest team in Europe.