Martin Odegaard’s strong beginning to the season carried on as the Arsenal captain delivered the key moment to earn a win over Napoli in Naples.
The Gunners had been inefficient in front of goal and seemed headed for a disappointing draw in their first Champions League match since their painful loss in last season’s final.
But Odegaard finally made the breakthrough with a superb finish from outside the area, sending Arsenal’s 1,500 traveling fans into celebration. It was his fourth goal in five matches, including the Community Shield.
Martin Odegaard gives Arsenal a crucial win
Piero Hincapie fell to his knees and hit the ground in relief after the final whistle as Arsenal earned an important victory in Italy.
Mikel Arteta’s team had already squandered three great chances to punish last season’s Serie A runners-up before Odegaard scored.
Mikel Merino had the first big opportunity when he was given a chance to mark his first club start since January. However, the Spain midfielder headed straight at Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret midway through the first half.
Bukayo Saka then looked set to score but lifted his shot over the crossbar before Hincapie also missed from close range when he blazed over from inside the six-yard box.
Arsenal dominates Napoli with 26 attempts
Despite their missed chances, Arsenal eventually got the goal they needed. There were 29 passes in the build-up to Odegaard’s winner, making it their second-most passes for a Champions League goal since records began in 2003-04.
Only Lucas Perez’s second goal against Basel in December 2016 involved more passes, with 33 in the build-up.
Arsenal also recorded 26 attempts during the match, their highest total in a single Champions League game since the start of last season.
The win means Arteta’s side have made a winning start to this Champions League campaign after winning all eight group-stage matches on their way to last season’s final.
Arsenal survive scares to beat Napoli
The Gunners were not completely untroubled, with the hosts creating a couple of worrying moments. One of the most notable came when David Raya spilled a shot from outside the box by Kevin de Bruyne, the Manchester City midfielder who won the Champions League in 2023.
Ben White reacted quickest to the danger and cleared the loose ball before Napoli could take advantage.
Arsenal ultimately held on to claim a fine victory in Italy, with Odegaard’s decisive strike making the difference after Arteta’s side had struggled to convert several earlier chances.