Arsenal manager Unai Emery hopes that midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be fit enough to start in their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Napoli tomorrow night. Ramsey did not start for Arsenal in their match against Everton during the weekend but appeared as a second half substitute as the Gunners lost 1-0.
While Emery is hopeful about Ramsey’s availability, he seemed doubtful regarding the availability of Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka. Koscielny missed Arsenal’s last three matches against Rennes, Newcastle and Everton due to a foot injury while Xhaka missed Arsenal’s last two games due to a groin injury.
Emery said, “We were waiting to see if Laurent could play but it wasn’t possible. I want to be positive for Thursday, it depends how he is progressing. Xhaka is the same. They are going to be doubts for Thursday. But we have players and can take the performance with all the players.”
Given that Arsenal have only won two of their away games this year so far, there’s no doubt that they will struggle in the second leg at Naples. However, Arsenal’s home form has been impressive and they will hope to beat Napoli at the Emirates to qualify for the Europa League semi-finals. However, the absence of Xhaka and Koscielny can be a major blow for Arsenal against a team like Napoli.
