Max Allegri makes a very bizarre claim about Napoli vs Arsenal that's not true at all

Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Napoli was a very interesting game.

The Gunners only managed to pick up a 1-0 win in the end thanks to a brilliant goal from Martin Odegaard in the 75th minute.

However, the scoreline doesn’t do any justice to the performance because Mikel Arteta’s side absolutely battered the Serie A giants.

Massimiliano Allegri, though, doesn’t seem to agree.

Massimiliano Allegri says Arsenal and Napoli played at the same level in the first half

Arsenal were up for the battle against Napoli from the very first minute.

The Gunners dominated possession, created chance after chance and had plenty of shots at goal throughout the game.

It wasn’t a case of a poor first half and an improved second by any means – Arsenal were head and shoulders above Napoli from start to finish.

However, Allegri has now come out and claimed that he felt the first half between the two sides was a balanced affair.

He said, as per Area Napoli: “It took some time to talk to the team and take a shower. We played a good game against one of the strongest teams in Europe.

“The first half was very balanced, then they upped the tempo.”

That is a baffling statement.

Arsenal produced 13 shots in the first half, which is their highest tally in a Champions League away game since records began in 2003/04.

The Gunners also created an xG of 1.90 in the opening 45 minutes while limiting Napoli to 0.13 xG, which clearly highlights their dominance.

The only balance in the first half was in the scoreline because Arteta’s men missed a few chances that they should’ve buried.

However, to use the 0-0 score at the break to say that it was an even first half is utterly ridiculous. Allegri couldn’t be more wrong.

Rasmus Hojlund admits Napoli got lucky against Arsenal

Arsenal generated an xG of 4.31 against Napoli, which is their best ever return in the Champions League.

If the Gunners were more clinical, they should’ve scored four or five goals – it was such a dominant display from the Premier League champions.

That’s why Allegri’s comments have shocked us so much. Even his own striker, Rasmus Hojlund, has admitted that Napoli were fortunate not to concede more.

Speaking on TNT Sports, he was asked if Napoli deserved something from the game. He replied: “Yes and no.

“Arsenal created a lot of chances, and we were lucky to stay in the game, but we defended well.”