NAPLES — Martin Odegaard's superb low strike delivered Arsenal a deserved 1-0 victory over Napoli in their Champions League league phase opener on Wednesday in Naples, extending the Gunners' winning run to five straight in all competitions. The captain crashed a shot in off the post from the edge of the box after intricate build-up to settle a dominant display that should have produced a wider margin.
Mikel Arteta's side, last season's runners-up in the competition, controlled the contest and generated 26 shots worth 4.05 expected goals but were repeatedly denied by wasteful finishing. Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka spurned the best chances of the first half before Piero Hincapie blazed over from six yards out early in the second half.
Odegaard finally broke the deadlock with a quick one-two with substitute Christos Tzolis before firing low in off the post, his fourth goal in five games this season. Arsenal could have doubled the lead moments later but substitute Noni Madueke missed a one-on-one chance and Tzolis saw his follow-up blocked on the line.
Napoli offered little until the closing minutes, when former Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was put through for a rare chance to equalise but opted to cross and wasted the opportunity. The result ensured Arsenal celebrated a victorious start to their European campaign after dominating from the outset.