Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri praises Mikel Arteta before Champions League meeting

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri faces Arsenal at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in an upcoming Champions League fixture. Allegri publicly lauded Mikel Arteta for his four-year tenure at Arsenal, noting the squad's tactical balance and team mentality. Napoli enters the match following a 3-2 league defeat to Inter Milan where the side surrendered a two-goal lead in the final ten minutes. Allegri intends to field Kevin De Bruyne and continues to develop forward Rasmus Højlund within his current rotation. While Arsenal maintains status as a favorite, Allegri emphasized the importance of defensive discipline to counter the Premier League champions. The Napoli manager acknowledged his own history of losing two Champions League finals, expressing ambition to secure a positive result against the north London club.

• 8:05 PMYahoo Sports — Napoli boss Allegri offers high praise of ‘extraordinary’ Arteta ahead of meeting with Arsenal