Napoli boss Allegri offers high praise of ‘extraordinary’ Arteta ahead of meeting with Arsenal | OneFootball

Napoli boss Massimiliano Allegri believes Mikel Arteta has done an “extraordinary job” as Arsenal manager. After the devastation of losing out on penalties to PSG in last season’s final, the Gunners have an even stronger desire to win the competition for the first time in their history. Arteta will hope to get off to a winning start against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Allegri praised what the Spanish coach has achieved so far with the north London club. “I think Arteta has done an extraordinary job in the last four years,” Allegri told the press. “He quickly brought a balance to the squad. They are very good on the ball, but just as good when they have to defend. He has instilled a great team mentality.“We know we are facing the Premier League champions and a team who reached the Champions League Final last season.“Every match starts at 0-0. It’s normal that Arsenal are considered the favourites, but we have to have ambition.“We will embrace all of the match’s challenges with pride and try to play a great game.” Napoli have made a poor start to their Serie A campaign, picking up just three points from the opening three games. On Saturday, Allegri’s side threw away a two-goal lead against Inter at San Siro, conceding twice in the last 10 minutes to lose 3-2.

“Saturday’s game was beautiful, but unfortunately we lost it,” reflected Allegri on the San Siro defeat. “Tomorrow is a different competition. Europe gives you even more adrenaline, especially since we are coming up against the best. “We will have to play a technically perfect game. When we don’t have the ball we will have to defend better as a team, because that was our undoing against Como and Inter.” The Napoli manager believes in the potential of Rasmus Højlund, a player who struggled at times during his spell at Manchester United, and will no doubt depend on Kevin De Bruyne if his side are to get a result against Arsenal.“Højlund is 23 so he is still young,” said Allegri. “I think he can grow as a player and improve his technique. He’s a very eager young man who is always keen to learn. “Kevin De Bruyne is an extraordinary player. He arrived late this season and came off the bench in the first three games. He will most likely be involved against Arsenal.” Despite winning the English top-flight league title 14 times, some say that Arsenal cannot be considered an elite European club until they lift its ultimate prize. Hayters put that idea to Allegri, to which he smiled and said: “It’s not easy to win the Champions League. I was lucky enough just to coach in two finals, and I lost them both. Let’s hope from now on it goes a bit better for me.”