Napoli vs Arsenal Champions League Match Highlights

Arsenal opened their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Martin Odegaard scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute, curling a low effort off the inside of the post after a slick Arsenal move. The goal finally broke Napoli's resistance after Arsenal had controlled much of the game.

The Gunners finished with 58% possession and 25 shots, including nine on target, while Napoli managed six shots and three on target.

Detail	Match Information
Tournament	UEFA Champions League 2026-27
Round	League Phase
Match	Napoli vs Arsenal live on tapmad
Venue	Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
Result	Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
Goal	Martin Odegaard 75'
Winner	Arsenal
Possession	Napoli 42% - 58% Arsenal
Shots	Napoli 6 - 25 Arsenal
Shots on Target	Napoli 3 - 9 Arsenal
Corners	Napoli 0 - 6 Arsenal

Arsenal Dominate the First Half

Arsenal started the match on the front foot and created several opportunities without finding the breakthrough.

Mikel Merino came close in the 22nd minute when his header from an Eberechi Eze cross was saved by Alex Meret. Bukayo Saka then had an opportunity inside the box but failed to make clean contact with his effort.

Arsenal continued to control possession and move the ball around Napoli's defensive block. Odegaard also sent Saka through late in the first half, but the Arsenal winger fired over the bar.

Napoli struggled to create clear chances but remained compact and made it difficult for Arsenal to turn their possession into goals.

Napoli Lose Meret to Injury

Napoli were forced into a change at half-time when goalkeeper Alex Meret was replaced by Vanja Milinković-Savić.

The hosts continued to defend deep after the restart, while Arsenal increased the pressure. The visitors repeatedly worked the ball into dangerous areas but initially failed to produce the final finish.

Arsenal's dominance was reflected in their attacking numbers, with the Gunners eventually recording 25 shots compared with Napoli's six.

Odegaard Breaks the Deadlock

Arsenal finally found the breakthrough in the 75th minute.

A neat passing sequence around the edge of the Napoli box created space for Odegaard. The Arsenal captain combined with substitute Christos Tzolis before sending a powerful left-footed shot toward the far corner.

The effort struck the inside of the post and went in, giving Arsenal a deserved 1-0 lead. It was Odegaard's fourth goal in five games this season.

Napoli immediately faced a difficult task as they searched for a response.

Arsenal Survive Late Napoli Pressure

Napoli finally produced their biggest threat late in the match.

Kevin De Bruyne found space in a promising position and had an opportunity to create the equaliser, but his decision to look for a teammate rather than shoot allowed Arsenal to escape.

Arsenal then came close to a second goal when Noni Madueke's effort was saved before Tzolis saw his follow-up blocked.

Kai Havertz also had a late goal ruled out for offside, but Arsenal held on to secure all three points.

Arsenal Begin Champions League Campaign With a Win

The victory gives Arsenal an ideal start to their Champions League league-phase campaign.

Mikel Arteta's side dominated possession, created the majority of the chances and eventually found the goal they needed through their captain. The result also extended Arsenal's perfect start to the 2026-27 season to five consecutive victories.

For Napoli, the defeat adds to a difficult start under Massimiliano Allegri. The Italian side have now suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

Match Highlights

• Arsenal defeated Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League.
• Martin Odegaard scored the only goal in the 75th minute.
• Odegaard's shot struck the inside of the post before going in.
• Arsenal had 58% possession.
• Arsenal recorded 25 shots compared with Napoli's six.
• Arsenal had nine shots on target.
• Napoli managed three shots on target.
• Alex Meret was replaced at half-time by Vanja Milinković-Savić.
• Kevin De Bruyne had a late opportunity to equalise for Napoli.
• Kai Havertz had a late goal ruled out for offside.
• Arsenal recorded six corners while Napoli had none.
• Odegaard was booked in stoppage time.
• Arsenal began their Champions League campaign with three points.

Martin Odegaard's superb finish finally rewarded Arsenal's dominance as the Gunners secured a valuable 1-0 win away at Napoli. Arteta's side created enough chances to win by a wider margin, but the captain's 75th-minute strike proved enough to settle a tense Champions League opener.