Aaron Ramsey takes charge as Arsenal roll back the years with confident Napoli display

Arsenal celebrate Ramsey's well-worked opener [Courtesy]

The only regret was not finishing off the Italian job in one take.

Arsenal certainly had enough chances, they could have won more comfortably and their unpredictable away form means it is not over yet.

But Unai Emery’s men were hugely impressive as they produced a top quality performance full of energy and verve which deserved a bigger scoreline.

They blew Napoli away with a devastating and complete first half display and, while it is impossible to maintain those levels, they will curse missed chances.

Aaron Ramsey capped a man-of-the-match performance with a terrific opener and Lucas Torreira’s second typified Arsenal’s win as he won the ball in midfield, drove forward and saw his shot deflected into the net.

It will be a particularly sweet night for Ramsey, highlighting again Arsenal’s madness to let him go this summer as he prepares to join Juventus on a free transfer.

But also Ramsey proved that he can deliver against top quality Italian opposition as he scored, never stopped running and got into some brilliant positions.

With every goal, with every big performance, Ramsey further embarrasses Arsenal’s decision because the reality is that he plays all the big games - and delivers.

This was a big game, too, one reminiscent of the good old days in the Champions League and a performance to match, one which belonged on the big stage.

That is where Emery is striving to get back to and victories like these leave you believing they are on the right path either by getting into the top four or winning the Europa League.

They have certainly given themselves a great chance of progressing in this competition - just as long as they can survive in Naples next Thursday - and suddenly they will believe that Emery’s track record in this competition can help them go all the way.

Emery won it three years running with Sevilla and the confidence shone in Arsenal’s performance. Emery gambled on Laurent Koscielny’s fitness and they looked solid in defence while Mesut Ozil knitted the midfield together.

Arsenal started fast, blew Napoli away and were ahead after just 14 minutes. Ainsley Maitland-Niles won the ball deep in Arsenal’s half, sprang the counter attack as Ramsey, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil all combined.

Maitland-Niles had gone galloping forward into the box, his clever pull back then set up Ramsey who steered home a low shot to put Arsenal in front.

It was the lift they needed and Torreira - looking refreshed and fired-up after a three-game domestic ban - took his turn in midfield as the Uruguayan harried and hassled, forcing Fabian Ruiz into a mistake.

Torreira, looking like the bundle of midfield energy from earlier in the season, charged forward and then hit a shot which deflected off Kalidou Koulibaly, wrong-footed Napoli keeper Alex Meret and into the net to bring the stadium to life.

Maybe it is impossible to maintain those energy levels and yet Arsenal did have chances to score another but Napoli keeper Meret made smart saves from Maitland-Niles and Ramsey.

But, in typical Arsenal fashion, they also let Napoli back in the contest. Lorenzo Insigne missed a big chance in the first half and then set up an even better opportunity for Piotr Zielinski who could not keep his shot down.

Arsenal still had big chances to finish the job late on as Ramsey skewed over the crossbar and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also drove wide when he should have scored.

Two goals should be enough - even though it could have been even more.