Napoli 2-0 Arsenal: Ten-Man Gunners Lose But Through In Champions League

Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon scored as Arsenal lost in Naples, but advanced to the Champions League knockout stages anyway. Napoli under Rafa Benitez had to settle for the Europa League despite victory here as Borussia Dortmund won in Marseille.

With no onus on Arsenal to win the game they were content to play familiar possession football in a stop start contest. Napoli's early threat proved sporadic whilst Olivier Giroud had the best chance of the first half. Stand-in home stopper Rafael Cabral parried his shot from the left channel at the end of a fine Gunners move. All hosts Napoli could muster of note in response was a shot from range by Callejon that flew well wide and Christian Maggio's attempted chip going over. Wojceich Szczesny saw a lazy clearance cannon off the head of former Arsenal target Higuain, but the visitors were comfortable at the break. Pablo Armero got clear of the Gunners backline after the break, but fired a hesitant shot straight at the keeper. Callejon almost capitalized on a rare Laurent Koscielny error, but dragged his effort wide as Napoli showed more intent in the second half. Higuain then blazed over from a tight angle under pressure from the Arsenal defender. Napoli won this game 17 minutes from time when Callejon teed up Higuain and his shot on the turn beat Szczesny from just inside the box. Gunners skipper Mikel Arteta was then sent off for a second booking, so Wenger's side finished with ten men. Callejon chipped Szczesny at the death for a second Napoli goal, but they needed three so it was glorious failure for Benitez's men. Kevin Grosskreutz won the other group game for Dortmund in Marseille. Defeat in a match which €“ provided they did not lose it heavily €“ meant nothing to Arsenal will do little to dent their momentum. Ironically, they take runners-up spot in Group F and Napoli's victory was bittersweet as it was not by a big enough margin.