Arsenal are top of the group before the match but they can still miss out on qualification in case of a heavy defeat in Italy, coupled with a win for Dortmund at Marseille. Napoli need to beat Arsenal by more than two goals on Wednesday to reach the Champions League knockout stages. The Gunners are top of Group F, three points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund and third-placed Napoli, so they would need a draw in the last match to make sure they stay top of the group table.
The Gunners recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Napoli in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium on October 1, with Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud getting on the score sheet. Napoli are strong at home though, they have won both of their home Champions League matches this season, beating Dortmund 2-1 and Marseille 3-2. Moreover, they had a 16-match unbeaten streak at home in the Serie A before a defeat at the hands of Parma on November 23. Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages 13 seasons in a row but they have sour memories from their last trip to Italy when they recorded a 4-0 defeat at AC Milan in February 2012.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, and Wenger is not pleased by his side's schedule that sees them play at Manchester City just three days after their visit to Naples. "It is massively demanding because we have big games and, mentally as well, we want to be at a level to concentrate every time we turn up, with the top level of commitment," the manager said. "That is a big challenge for us." Bacary Sagna (hamstring) and Lukas Podolski (hamstring) are doubtful for Arsenal, while Napoli will be without Marek Hamsik (foot) plus long-term absentees Camilo Zuniga and Giandomenico Mesto.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Napoli win - 13/8
Draw - 5/2
Arsenal win - 9/5
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