Slovakian midfielder admits Arsenal in different class.Napoli star Marek Hamsik has praised the performance of Arsenal in last night’s game at the Emirates Stadium, which saw Arsene Wenger’s in-form side claim a 2-0 win in the Champions League.
According to Sky Sports, Hamsik admitted there was a gulf in class between the two teams on the night, as Arsenal overran their Italian opponents with two goals in the first fifteen minutes.
£42.4m summer signing Mesut Ozil was in particularly dazzling form, scoring Arsenal’s first goal and showing great ability once again to set up the second for Olivier Giroud.
Hamsik himself is rated as one of the best attacking midfielders in Serie A, but the Slovakian international was unable to exert his influence on this game, as Rafael Benitez’s side were simply blown away at the Emirates Stadium.
The 26-year-old admits he was disappointed with how Napoli played, though he was also quick to give credit to Arsenal for their display, calling them ‘devastating’ in the first half.
“We have to compliment Arsenal. They deserved the win. When you come up against a team like this one there are differences.
“We knew of Arsenal’s quality, how they enjoy to control possession and you can only beat them if you play in the same way.
“You cannot start a game in the manner that we did.
“We gifted them with 15 minutes and two goals. After that, it becomes difficult to take a positive result against a team like Arsenal.
“They were just devastating early on and we were terrible.”
This result was a disappointment for Napoli after their fine start in Serie A and having earned such an impressive win over last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund in their opening game of the group.