Rafa Benitez assured Napoli feel “no fear” against Arsenal at the Emirates in tonight’s Champions League clash.
Rafa Benitez assured Napoli feel “no fear” against Arsenal at the Emirates in tonight’s Champions League clash.
They are both top of Group F after opening day victories, as the Partenopei beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and the Gunners had the same scoreline away to Olympique Marseille.
“It will be a very tough match, complicated and difficult. In my opinion, Arsene Wenger is the best Coach that is currently in the Premier League,” said former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Benitez in his Press conference.
“Arsenal are a hard opponent, strong and tough, but we are also prepared for this challenge. We’ve worked hard preparing for it.
“The first match at home against Borussia Dortmund energized us, now it is a different game because Arsenal have players with good dribbling and we have to prepare for the encounter in a different way than against the German team.
“Obviously, we have a lot of respect for Arsenal, a lot, but never fear because we do not fear any rival.”
These tacticians have crossed paths many times in the Premier League and Benitez was never able to beat Wenger in this competition, but the Spaniard is not concerned.
“The approach of this is totally different, because this time in the Champions League with Napoli is a new experience for me. But it's always good to know that there are statistics that have the potential to be turned around.
“Wenger is a great Coach and I think he can win a lot in the future, but for now has not won the Champions League, although they have been close. Also he will want to change that statistic.
“When I was at Liverpool and Chelsea I focused on specific targets each year. Now I want to guide Napoli at the highest level possible.”
Gonzalo Higuain and Raul Albiol trained separately to the rest of the team last night, but the striker is expected to start.