Martin Odegaard scored the winner as Arsenal opened their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Arsenal captain struck in the 75th minute after Mikel Arteta’s side had controlled much of the second half but repeatedly failed to turn their possession into a breakthrough.
Christos Tzolis, introduced nine minutes earlier, combined sharply with Ben White before cutting the ball back to Odegaard. The midfielder drove a rising finish across Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and in off the post. The Guardian’s live coverage detailed the move which finally broke Napoli’s resistance.
It gives Arsenal three points from the opening match of their 2026/27 Champions League campaign after Arteta made four changes to the side which beat Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal waste chances before Odegaard breakthrough
Arsenal had opportunities to make the evening much more comfortable.
Odegaard released Bukayo Saka shortly before half-time and the winger found himself one-on-one with Alex Meret. Saka dragged his effort badly wide, with replays showing he had remained onside despite an initial flag.
The Gunners created an even clearer opening five minutes after the restart.
Odegaard picked out White inside the penalty area and the right-back headed across goal towards Piero Hincapie, but the summer signing fired over from close range.
Those misses threatened to become increasingly costly as Napoli remained compact.
Rasmus Hojlund offered the hosts an outlet on the counter, while David Raya dealt comfortably with efforts from Billy Gilmour and Matteo Politano.
Arsenal’s defence remained strong throughout, with Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes keeping Hojlund relatively quiet.
Konsa had retained his place in the confirmed Arsenal XI against Napoli, while Hincapie replaced Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.
Tzolis makes immediate Arsenal impact
Arteta eventually turned to his bench.
Bruno Guimaraes and Tzolis replaced Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze after 66 minutes, before Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke came on for Viktor Gyokeres and Saka seven minutes later.
Tzolis needed only nine minutes to make the decisive contribution.
Arsenal patiently moved Napoli across the pitch before White and Tzolis accelerated the attack down the right.
The Greek international pulled his delivery into Odegaard’s path and the captain produced the finish Arsenal had been missing.
It continued Odegaard’s outstanding start to the campaign after he also scored the winner against Chelsea.
Arsenal then managed the closing stages professionally, with Martin Zubimendi replacing White as Arteta strengthened his midfield.
Napoli introduced David Neres and Lorenzo Lucca but could not find an equaliser.
The result means Arsenal have now won four of their five competitive meetings with Napoli, improving the record outlined in our Napoli vs Arsenal head-to-head guide.
More importantly, Arsenal begin their latest attempt to go one better than last season’s Champions League final with an away victory and clean sheet.
Their next European fixture comes at home to Lille on 13 October, with every league-phase match listed in the ReadArsenal Champions League fixtures hub.
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