Champions League: Odegaard Rescues Arsenal With Stunning Winner Against Napoli

Martin Odegaard continued his impressive start to the season as the Arsenal captain struck late to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Napoli in their Champions League opener in Naples.

The Norwegian midfielder’s fine finish from outside the box spared the Gunners’ blushes after they squandered several clear opportunities and looked set to settle for a frustrating draw in their first Champions League match since their agonising defeat in last season’s final.

Odegaard’s decisive strike sent Arsenal’s 1,500 travelling supporters into celebration and took his tally to four goals in five games, including the Community Shield.

The victory gives Mikel Arteta’s side an ideal start to their latest European campaign after they won all eight of their group-phase matches on the way to last season’s final.

Arsenal dominated large periods of the contest but were wasteful in front of goal, registering 26 attempts — their highest total in a Champions League match since the start of last season.

Mikel Merino was handed a glorious opportunity to mark his first club start since January, but the Spain international headed straight at Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret midway through the first half.

Bukayo Saka then appeared poised to break the deadlock, only to lift his effort over the crossbar, before Piero Hincapie blazed another excellent chance over from inside the six-yard box.

Napoli, last season’s Serie A runners-up, also threatened on occasions and came close to punishing Arsenal for their profligacy.

David Raya was forced into an anxious moment when he spilled a long-range effort from Kevin de Bruyne, the former Manchester City midfielder and 2023 Champions League winner. Ben White, however, reacted quickest to clear the danger before the hosts could capitalise.

Arsenal eventually found the breakthrough through their captain, with Odegaard producing the moment of quality his side had been lacking in the final third.

The result was greeted with visible relief by the visitors, with Hincapie dropping to his knees and thumping the ground with his hands after the final whistle.

For Arsenal, the victory represents another significant step in their bid to go one better in Europe after falling agonisingly short last season.

More importantly, Arteta’s men have started their Champions League campaign with three points — despite making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves in Naples.