Published: 1 October, 2013

By TOM FOOT at the Emirates

Champions League

ARSENAL 2, NAPOLI 0

THE Arsenal train keeps on rolling with another convincing victory – but this time against top-class opposition.

The Gunners played like strong-arm veterans of the Champions League but with the unbreakable spirit of a dark-horse contender.

Napoli – second in Serie A with five wins out of six – were brutally torn apart in an explosive first-half display.

Arsene Wenger has brought a bit of power to the team's neat passing game – the players look strong, hungry and enjoying their game. They are top of Group F with six points from six.

Mesut Ozil opened his account for the Gunners with a classy inside-out half volley on six minutes, latching onto an Aaron Ramsey cross first time. It was a brilliantly executed strike by the £43million man, hit at pace with his weaker foot as the ball was squared to him from distance.

Ozil turned supplier moments later, cutting back to Olivier Giroud from the byline and presenting an unmissable chance for the Frenchman.

With Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere left out, the team looked almost defensive at kick-off.

Arsenal summer target Higuan was absent from the Napoli line-up, and long forgotten by home fans who over the summer were desperate for a big-name signing. They have their hero now but this is by no means a one-man team.

Barcary Sagna – outstanding throughout – was whipping balls in like he was Ronaldo during a faultless performance. From midfield, the intricate passing and flicked through-balls from captain Mikel Arteta, Matt Flamini and Tomas Rosicky were thrilling. Ozil was everywhere, finding space and nipping away at mistimed passes from the stunned visitors.

Even the defence looked confident, with the inform Per Mertesacker calming things down with his common-sense approach.

Two-nil down, and restricted to several long-range shots, there seemed to be no way back for the visitors. But they started the second half on the front foot and looked the more likely to score.

Laurent Koscielny had a shot saved from point-blank range in what was a largely forgettable half compared to the rip-roaring first.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey, Rosicky, Giroud, Ozil.

Attendance: 60,022