Martin Ødegaard strike gives Arsenal winning start against Napoli

Martin Ødegaard’s powerful 75th-minute goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Napoli in the opening round of the Champions League league phase, as Mikel Arteta’s side began their pursuit of a first European title with three points.

Arsenal dominated the match and registered 25 attempts on goal, compared with six from Napoli, but had to wait until the final quarter of the game to break the deadlock.

Ødegaard completed a flowing move with a fierce finish into the Napoli net to settle the contest.

The result provides Arsenal with an early boost in their bid to win the Champions League, a competition they have never lifted. The Gunners lost last season’s final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, the second time in the club’s history they have been beaten in the final after their defeat by Barcelona in 2006.

Arsenal create chances before Ødegaard breakthrough

Arsenal began on the front foot and Bukayo Saka tested Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret in the 13th minute with a left-footed effort from the middle of the penalty area. Meret made the save.

Napoli responded two minutes later when Kevin De Bruyne tried his luck from outside the box, but the Arsenal goalkeeper kept the shot out. Matteo Politano followed up with another attempt, which David Raya also dealt with.

De Bruyne reacted angrily in the 20th minute after a strong challenge from Eberechi Eze. Napoli players appealed for the Arsenal winger to be shown a yellow card, but no booking was recorded.

Meret then produced another important save to deny Mikel Merino’s header in the 22nd minute.

Saka missed the clearest opportunity of the first half just before the interval. He went through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lifted his shot over the crossbar, after which the referee brought the opening 45 minutes to an end.

Napoli were forced into a change at half-time, with Meret unable to continue. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic replaced him in goal.

Arsenal continued to waste opportunities after the restart. Piero Hincapie found himself through on goal in the 50th minute, but could not take advantage of the chance before sending the follow-up effort over the bar.

Arteta then made two attacking substitutions, replacing Viktor Gyokeres and Saka with Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute. After a fine exchange of passes, Ødegaard unleashed a powerful strike which found the back of the net.

Napoli could not find a response during the closing stages, and Arsenal held on to secure a narrow victory.

Line-ups

Napoli: Alex Meret, Mathias Olivera, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Stanislav Lobotka, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne, Alisson Santos, Rasmus Højlund, Matteo Politano.

Arsenal: David Raya, Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres.

Fixtures ahead

Napoli’s remaining league-phase fixtures are away to Manchester City, at home to Club Brugge, away to Porto, at home to Bodø/Glimt, away to Villarreal, at home to Viking and away to Sabah Baku.

Arsenal will next face Real Madrid at home, Bayern Munich away, Borussia Dortmund at home, Real Betis away, Lille at home, Sabah Baku at home and Slovan Bratislava away.

This is the third season in which the Champions League league phase has featured 36 teams. Each side plays eight matches, with four at home and four away.

At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams qualify directly for the last 16. Teams finishing from ninth to 16th enter play-offs against sides placed from 17th to 24th to determine the other eight last-16 places.

Following the draw, the teams finishing ninth and 10th will be paired with one of the teams in 23rd or 24th, with the same arrangement applying to the remaining positions.