Napoli head coach sends message to Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal showdown | OneFootball

Max Allegri is a big fan of what his counterpart has done with the Gunners

The Gunners are in Naples for the start of their Champions League tilt, having been installed as favourites ahead of the competition start.

Arsenal head to Italy in fine form, having opened their Premier League campaign with three straight victories domestically, whilst Napoli started their Serie A season with a win only to lose the next two.

Allegri is well aware of the ability and “greatest strength” of Arteta’s men, but is not letting two defeats dampen his confidence ahead of a huge European tie.

The Italian said: “[The Champions League] is a different competition from Serie A, a sort of mini-league, where we need 12 points to secure qualification for the next round.

Arsenal are the Champions League finalists and won the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has done an extraordinary job in the last four years.

“We know the difficulties of this match, which we must go into with pride and the desire to do well.”

Arsenal’s defensive solidity is their key strength, according to the 59-year-old, who said Arteta: “He did well to sort out their defence, as Arsenal concede very few goals, and they work together as a team. It’s their greatest strength.”

Allegri is under no illusions about the challenge his Napoli side face, but has backed his players to rise to the occasion, citing “motivation and adrenaline” as big factors ahead of the game.

The Napoli manager concluded: “We are up against one of the best, Europe gives you different motivation and adrenaline.

“When we don’t have the ball, we must defend better as a team, because so far against both Como and Inter, we left something to be desired on that front.

“We’ve got to take it one step at a time, but also have faith, because the Champions League is an ambition we must all have. This will push us forward.”