Napoli showing progress despite Arsenal loss, claims Allegri

Napoli are showing progress in their performances, so says Massimiliano Allegri, despite his team suffering three straight defeats.

An early-season slump for Napoli continued with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Napoli were shorn of key players such as Scott McTominay and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, but even so, they were firmly second-best at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Martin Odegaard grabbed the crucial goal for Arsenal, who had a whopping 26 shots and accumulated chances worth a combined 4.05 expected goals to Napoli's meagre 0.22 xG.

Arsenal had their highest shot count on record (since 2003-04) in a single Champions League match, while it was also the most Napoli have ever faced in the competition. 

Napoli have lost consecutive Champions League home games for the first time, while three of their six home defeats overall in the competition have come against Premier League sides.

This defeat came on the back of losses to Inter and Como, leaving Allegri under pressure, but the former AC Milan coach is sure his team are on the right track.

"The first half was much more balanced, because we had some fuel in our legs, as there were several players making their first starts of the season," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by Football Italia.

"We also managed to pass it around with more quality. We made some wrong choices in the final third, crossing when there was nobody in the box, and we know how well Arsenal defend too.

"There were some positives, but when you make the wrong choices so often against a team of this level, you do risk getting punished. In the second half, Arsenal took control and we showed a good spirit of sacrifice.

"We certainly couldn’t concede another three goals in 20 minutes, so that was positive.

"In these moments, you need to keep your balance, recognise some players are still getting into gear. The squad hasn't lost in value, it is just a negative moment where we need to do more, and we’ve got to win the next home game against Bologna. If we do that, things will look brighter.

"I think we had a good performance against an extraordinary opponent. Don’t forget, we brought on a player who last season was at Catanzaro, Vergara who lacks experience, so I think we need to be calm when judging the situation."

Next up for Napoli is a Serie A home game against Bologna.