Arsenal vs. Napoli

2-0, Champions League, Emirates Stadium, 01 October 2013
Özil 8,
Giroud 15

The first half was one of the best halves I've seen us play in a long time, and that's saying something considering our recent run! Within the first fifteen minutes we had completed 100 passes, compared to Napoli's 24 and had had 70% of the possession. Add to that two goals and you could say that we were the better team.

We went ahead eight minutes into the game, and stayed ahead for the rest of the game. Giroud made a cheeky back-heel to get the ball to Ramsey, who created the perfect pass to Mesut Özil. The German play-maker only needed one touch to place his shot out of Reina's reach and thus score his first goal for Arsenal! He has already had an amazing start to his time here, and now he can add a goal to all those assists! He continued providing assists in this game as well, though, as  he got around the defence to cut the ball back for Olivier Giroud to tap into the back of the net from close range!
   Napoli got quite close to scoring once this half as we had a lapse of focus in the box and Britos was left unmarked during a corner, fortunately his header went wide. Over-all, however, we were great at defending as a team, completely ruling the midfield by winning the ball back quickly whenever we lost it. Szczesny only had to make one save this half, the threat coming in the shape of a daisy-cutter.
   Needless to say Ramsey created lots of chances in this game as well. Before the end of the half he had two shots blocked by defenders and, after showing some slick moves to shake off a defender with a quick turn, he had a shot deflected wide.

The second half was more or less all about maintaining the result and thus ensuring the three points. Rosicky almost made it 3-0, though, in the very first minute of the half as he got into a brilliant position right in front of the goal. Unfortunately he missed the ball as Giroud got it towards him. With fifteen minutes to go we had another decent chance of another goal as Özil's cross reached Arteta's head, who played it on to Koscielny, whose effort was saved by Reina.

This win means that we are currently top of the group! Needless to say there is plenty more points to play for and we will need more of them to ensure qualification, but we are off to a good start!

Injury Update:
- Rosicky returned back from injury to start in this game!