Martin Odegaard’s clinical strike rewarded the Gunners’ relentless pressure in Naples, securing a priceless opening night victory after Mikel Arteta's side unleashed a record-breaking 26 shots on goal.
Arsenal got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against Napoli tonight in the opening matchday of the 2026/27 Champions League campaign, as Mikel Arteta’s men registered a hard-fought win in Naples, despite registering 26 shots on the hosts goal. The most that an Arsenal side have ever registered in an away Champions League match.
Arsenal started and maintained the first half on the front foot. The Gunners had the large majority of the ball with Allegri’s men sitting extremely deep showing the visitors an extreme amount of respect. Arsenal manufactured some great chances. None better than Merino, who headered straight at goalkeeper Meret after a brilliant header back across goal by Eze. Bukayo Saka also squandered a huge opportunity, firing over after finding himself 1on1 after a brilliant ball from Odegaard. Arsenal would have felt they should have been at least a goal to the good going into half time, but it should really have been two.
Despite sitting back, Napoli also looked threatening on the break. A clear game plan from Allegri was to soak up the pressure and hit Arteta’s men on the break. The Gli Azzurri, led by De Bruyne going forward, got into some dangerous positions of their own on the few occasions they were able to get forward, but lacked the finishing touch. A long range effort from De Bruyne and a long rain curling effort from Politano were their best efforts. Both of which were saved by Raya.
HALF TIME: Napoli 0 Arsenal 0
Into the second half, and The Gunners started just how they left off. Dictating all of the ball and trying to break down the Napoli defence. Odegaard looked to have done just that early in the second half, when his clever dink over the top found Ben White, but when his cross found Hincapie, the Ecuadorian fired over from all of 3 yards out. The pattern of play continued to play out for large parts of the second half until FINALLY, the deadlock was broken and by who else but Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian International has been in scintillating form and this carried on this evening. He pulled all the strings for Arsenal and got his goal with what was arguably Arsenal’s toughest chance of the lot, striking superbly low into the bottom left corner. Napoli substitute goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic got a touch, but could only divert it onto the post and in to give Arteta’s men the lead.
Arsenal continued to control the ball in the final proceedings, but there was one last chance for Napoli, as De Bruyne thrashed a cross across the face of goal to put hearts in the mouths of Arsenal fans, but no one in a sky blue shirt was there to tap home. Arsenal had yet another chance to double their lead, but Madueke was unable to slide the ball past Milinkovic-Savic after he broke free. Havertz did also have the ball in the back of the net late on, but was offside by miles as he tapped home after Tzolis’ initial shot.
Martin Odegaard celebrates as he breaks the deadlock in Naples tonight (REUTERS) FULL TIME: Napoli 0 Arsenal 1 (Odegaard 75’)
A big win on the road to kickstart the campaign. Arteta will be largely happy with the overall performance, but will not be happy with the standard of finishing on display from Arsenal today. Still, a tough away ground to go to, and the Gunners have registered yet another 3 points in the league phase of a Champions League campaign.
All eyes now turn back to the Premier League, as Arsenal travel to The Stadium Of Light on Saturday evening to face Sunderland, looking for a 4th straight league victory and 6 in all competitions.
