Arsenal maintain perfect start with narrow win in Naples

Last season’s runners-up had to work hard for the result. Napoli were organised, physical and difficult to break down for long periods, but Odegaard found the one clear moment of quality that separated the teams in the 75th minute.

It was Arsenal’s fourth clean sheet in their last five meetings with Napoli, and it keeps their perfect start to the new season intact.

Match highlight

The first half was short on clear chances. Arsenal had more of the ball, but Mikel Arteta’s side did not control the match in the way they would have wanted. Bukayo Saka tried an acrobatic bicycle kick, but Alex Meret gathered it comfortably.

Napoli had efforts of their own. Kevin De Bruyne and Matteo Politano both tested David Raya from distance, although neither shot caused the Arsenal goalkeeper serious trouble.

The best chance of the half fell to Arsenal. Eberechi Eze produced a clever headed pass into Mikel Merino’s path. Merino had space six metres from goal, but his header lacked conviction and Meret made the save.

Napoli’s defensive shape continued to frustrate Arsenal as the half went on. The home side closed spaces well and made it difficult for Arsenal’s attacking players to find a clean final pass.

Arsenal almost benefited from an unlikely mistake before the break. Piero Hincapie’s misplaced pass drifted toward the Napoli goal, forcing Meret to rush back and deal with it.

Meret had been Napoli’s best player in the first half, but he was forced off injured at the interval. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic replaced him and initially had very little to do.

Hincapie should have done better early in the second half when he sent an effort over from six metres. Arsenal continued to dominate possession, yet Napoli remained compact and rarely allowed a clean sight of goal.

Then Odegaard made the difference. After a sharp move inside the Napoli area, the Arsenal captain spotted space at the far post and drove a low shot into the corner. It was his fourth goal in five matches and finally gave Arsenal the breakthrough their pressure had been searching for.

Napoli offered little in response after falling behind. Max Allegri’s side could not create a sustained late push, and Arsenal managed the closing stages well to see out the win.

The defeat is Napoli’s third in a row and increases the early pressure on Allegri. Arsenal leave Naples with three points, another clean sheet and a winning start to a Champions League campaign they hope will again take them deep into the competition.