Benitez unhappy with ´horrible´ pitch

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez was fuming about the Stadio Sant'Elia pitch after his team's 1-1 draw at Cagliari on Saturday.

Nene's ninth-minute opener was cancelled out by a Gonzalo Higuain penalty in the first half as Napoli could only collect a point in the Serie A clash.

Benitez's men missed a chance to close in on Juventus and could enter the Christmas break 10 points behind the leaders.

Benitez rues slow start against Arsenal

Goals from Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud saw the Gunners sweep aside their Serie A opponents inside the first 15 minutes to take control of Group F.

Rafa Benitez bemoaned Napoli's poor start in their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The Serie A outfit were two goals down after just 15 minutes of the Group F encounter at the Emirates Stadium, as the Spaniard was consigned to a first professional loss as Partenopei coach.

Wenger - We must beware Napoli breaks

 

Arsène Wenger has warned his Arsenal players to beware Napoli's strength on the counter-attack when the sides meet at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Both sides began their Champions League campaigns with a victory in Group F and produced an entertaining 2-2 draw when they met at the Emirates Cup in August.

Wenger says he learnt lessons from that meeting and is pinpointing Lorenzo Insigne as a key element of the Italian side's ability to quickly turn defence into attack.

'I behaved like a monkey' – Klopp

The 47-year-old has taken responsibility for his "stupid" behaviour in the loss to the Partenopei, in which he was sent to the stands.

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp had admitted that he went too far in venting his frustrations during the 2-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League, claiming he "behaved like a monkey".

The 47-year-old coach was sent off for gesticulating angrily at the fourth official after he refused to allow Neven Subotic to return to the field of play following a head injury.

Napoli will get better & better, says Benitez

Following the Partenopei's 2-1 win, the Spaniard expressed his satisfaction at watching his side beat last year's Champions League runners-up.

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez believes his team will continue to get better on the back of beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Wednesday.

The Partenopei went ahead through a Gonzalo Higuain header and eased into control following Roman Weidenfeller's sending off, with Lorenzo Insigne firing in a rocket of a free kick in the second half to double the lead.

MATCH REPORT: Italy 1-2 Argentina: Higuain strikes as Albiceleste survive Azzurri fightback

Gonzalo Higuain inspired Argentina to a 2-1 win against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

The Napoli striker troubled the Italy defence on several occasions and deservedly finished the evening with a goal and an assist before being replaced after 60 minutes.

He grabbed the first goal of the night in the first half after a terrific pass from Erik Lamela before supplying an accurate pass into the path of Ever Banega to double the advantage just after half-time.

Lorenzo Insigne grabbed a consolation for Italy with a terrific curling effort with 15 minutes remaining, but the home side could not find an equaliser.

Wenger eyes new signings before Champions League tie

Arsène Wenger insists he will endeavour to add new signings to his Arsenal squad before their Champions League qualifier this month.

The Gunners have so far only signed France Under-21 international Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre in the summer transfer window.

Wenger was previously linked with Gonzalo Higuaín before the Argentine joined Napoli, while Arsenal have offered a reported £40,000,001 for want-away Liverpool striker Luis Suárez.

Arsenal fly to Madrid to finalise Higuain deal

The Argentina striker has agreed personal terms with the Gunners, who will hold talks with los Blancos this weekend as they look to secure a fee in the region of €23 million

Arsenal officials have flown out to Madrid to finalise the deal to bring Gonzalo Higuain to the Emirates Stadium, Goal can confirm.

The Gunners delegation will hold top-level talks with their Real Madrid counterparts this weekend as the two clubs negotiate a fee for the Argentina international.

As reported on Thursday, Higuain has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal ahead of a move that is increasingly likely to be completed within the next 10 days.

Preliminary discussions have already taken place between Arsenal and Madrid on a fee for the 25-year-old, and the exact figure is expected to be settled in the Spanish capital over the weekend.

The Gunners are hopeful that an offer around the €23 million mark can close the deal, while los Blancos are holding out for around €30m.

It is understood that Arsene Wenger could make an appearance during the discussions at some point over the weekend.

Arsenal have agreed a contract with Higuain that will start with a salary of €116,000-a-week, which will bring him in line with the club’s top earners Theo Walcott and skipper Thomas Vermaelen but, contrary to reports, will not shatter the club’s wage bill.

Nevertheless, Higuain will pocket a bumper pay rise if he completes a move to the Gunners as he is believed to be earning a relatively modest €74,500-a-week at Santiago Bernabeu.

Higuain alerted buyers by publicly insisting that he will leave Madrid this summer following six years in the Spanish capital.

Juventus have also made the prolific forward an offer but there are doubts about their willingness to pay a €23m-plus fee.

Wenger has made a concerted move for Higuain as he bids to break the €23m transfer barrier - comfortably breaking the club’s record - on two new players this summer. As revealed by Goal, Arsenal have also activated the €26m release clause in Marouane Fellaini’s Everton contract but have not yet been given the all clear to hold official talks with the player, who is currently on holiday.

Wenger has also shown strong interest in Wayne Rooney and Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic, but Higuain has been told he can leave by Madrid and the deal is viewed by Arsenal as easier to secure.

The Argentina star has a prolific scoring record at both club and international level and will be regarded as a statement signing if Arsenal can finalise the transfer.

The north Londoners have also made moves to sign centre-back Ashley Williams from Swansea City and goalkeeper Julio Cesar from QPR