Arsenal Won't Land Title, but Napoli Have Strong Serie A Chance

Two second-half goals gave Arsenal a share of the spoils in their opening Emirates Cup match. They recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with Rafael Benitez's Napoli.

However, whilst the comeback may well be a cause for optimism, if Arsene Wenger's side continue in this manner in 2013-14, then they'll be nothing more than nearly men for a 10th successive Premier League season.

On the other hand, Rafael Benitez's new-look Napoli, behind in terms of their preseason preparations, showed enough to suggest they could be ready to make a sustained challenge for this year's Scudetto.

Walter Mazzarri, Edinson Cavani and the three-man defence may have gone, but the tactically astute Benitez, despite their second-half lapse, appears to have put together a squad that may be ready to bring the Partenopei's first Serie A title since 1990.

Arsenal

Both in terms of defence and attack, the Gunners were found wanting against tough opposition.

The defence appeared largely uncertain, and individual errors proved costly. The attack lacked bite, which perhaps wouldn't be the case if they had a certain Uruguayan striker leading the line. If Arsene Wenger feels his current crop can challenge for the title this season, he's very much mistaken.

Arsenal found themselves behind after a mere six minutes. Carl Jenkinson was unable to deal with both a clipped ball in behind the Gunners defence and the presence of Lorenzo Insigne, who coolly steered past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to give the Neapolitans the lead.

Right-back Jenkinson has recently spoken of making a regular place his own, as reported by the Mirror's John Cross, but such defensive lapses from the former Charlton Athletic youngster certainly won't help his push for a starting berth.

Indeed, up against the tricky Insigne, a star of Italy's run to the under-21 European Championship finals this summer, Jenkinson looked uncertain.

Fortunately for Wenger, Sagna was impressive both in attack and defence during his second half run-out.

Whilst Fabianski can't be faulted for the first goal, questions will be asked of his role in the second. An astute pass from Marek Hamsik pushed Goran Pandev into the right side of the penalty area, tracked by Per Mertesacker, who looked in control of the situation.

However, the Pole's decision to come for the ball saw Mertesacker cede ground, allowing Pandev to waltz round the keeper before converting from the angle.

If Wenger has been mulling over a bid for QPR's Julio Cesar, such a decision from Fabianski may well have forced his hand. It was the sort of erratic selection-making which has been all too familiar over the past three or so seasons from both of Arsenal's Polish goalkeepers.

Throw in Mertesacker's lack of pace and Kieran Gibbs' positioning, which is often too far in advance of his defensive line. Mertesacker and Gibbs both needed to be bailed out by the outstanding Laurent Koscielny on more than one occasion, the Frenchman showing no signs of stopping what has been a personally excellent 2013.

With all that, the defence must continue to worry Wenger.

Nacho Monreal's injury means Gibbs is currently the principal option down the left, whilst club captain Thomas Vermaelen has never proven himself a definitive partner for Koscielny. Simply, they're too open to be title contenders.

In midfield, Jack Wilshere's class and promptings will be key, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's showing in a central position posed the question of whether he's ready to take a central role on a more permanent basis.

If the alternative to Chamberlain's inspiration is the perspiration of Aaron Ramsey, then the Englishman should get the nod against Aston Villa on the opening day, particularly if Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla occupies a role wide left, where he more often than not ended the last campaign. 

Tomas Rosicky is full of running and Mikel Arteta is a decent deep-lying playmaker, but again, it isn't enough to challenge the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. For all their technical gifts, they lack strength and defensive nous.

Up front, Olivier Giroud scored in the second half, but he too often slowed the game or picked the wrong option in the final third. Lukas Podolski, missed penalty aside, simply had one of those days, but where does he fit, if at all, in this side? Theo Walcott will get goals and assists, but there is still something lacking.

The dash and daring of Luis Suarez, handed a roaring ovation at Anfield today, was something the Gunners certainly needed.

But does Arsene Wenger have the daring to push through a deal, whatever the cost?

With the very top of the Premier League landscape more uncertain than at any point in the last seven or eight years, such strengthening acts may prove vital in breaking Arsenal's trophy-less spell. Judging by today, however, failing to do so may have the complete opposite effect. Standing pat could leave Arsenal once more in a battle to be nothing more than the best of the Premier League's nearly men.

Napoli

Without question, Rafa Benitez's side are going through a big transition of their own. The Spaniard looks to stamp his mark on last year's Serie A runners-up.

And while there were undoubted teething problems today—not least their surrendering of a two-goal lead—there was also enough to suggest that they may be able to mount a title challenge this season.

Benitez has been wise in the transfer market this summer. He has reshaped with a sound strategy of investing in what's needed. Morgan De Sanctis is a decent enough goalkeeper, but Pepe Reina is a definite upgrade. Raul Albiol will eventually be a solid defensive acquisition when he shakes off the ring rust that will have come from sitting on Real Madrid's bench for so long.

Pablo Armero's pace at left-back and the reliability of Christian Maggio and Paolo Cannavaro complete a strong defence.

Sitting in front in Benitez's now customary 4-2-3-1 formation is the dogged and determined duo of Swiss pair Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami. Neither player gives their opponent an inch. Behrami's hard-running complements Inler's more expansive passing range. Uruguayan Walter Gargano remains at the club and is another similar option, assuming he isn't sold.

But it is in attack where the Neapolitans have really been strengthened this summer.

Having scored a league-high 73 goals last season, a similar figure (if not more) should be expected in the coming season. Cavani may have gone, but Gonzalo Higuain's arrival was a smart piece of business.

An intelligent mover who, though not breathtakingly quick, has a decent turn of pace and is sharp in the penalty area, the Argentine No. 9 will score more than his fair share of goals. He wasn't anywhere near his sharpest here, but as he becomes more familiar with his teammates, expect the goals to follow.

Certainly, he won't lack for service.

Marek Hamsik, playing in the hole just off the front, is a magnificently versatile player. Clever and intelligent, the Slovakian schemer has a wonderful appreciation for a through pass, and he isn't without shooting ability either. If he and Higuain can build an understanding early, expect both to thrive.

Out wide, Benitez now has a wealth of options.

Lorenzo Insigne is wonderfully tricky with electric pace, whilst Jose Callejon, another signing from Madrid, is direct with an eye for goal. Dries Mertens (16 goals and 17 assists for PSV Eindhoven last season) is a wonderfully gifted player, capable of creating and finishing moves. Goran Pandev, who started today as the most advanced of Napoli's attackers, is a mercurial talent capable of filling a number of positions.

The competition at the top of Serie A will be more fierce than it has been in recent years.

Juventus have added more firepower and remain the team to beat, AC Milan will look to build on their tremendous end to last season and Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina are a wonderful mixture of technique and creation: With Mario Gomez amongst their number, expect them to be closer to the summit this season. Perhaps Roma under Rudi Garcia are dark horses also.

However, as Benitez gets more of his ideas across and as Napoli improve under the Spaniard's stewardship, it is perhaps they who could be lifting the Scudetto come May. Certainly, they have a chance.