Odegaard seals Arsenal victory over Napoli in Champions League opener
Arsenal missed several chances before Martin Odegaard’s late strike secured a 1-0 win over Napoli.
Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal a winning start to the Champions League league phase with a 1-0 victory over Napoli.
Sky Sports reported that Arsenal created the majority of the opportunities, recording 26 shots and 4.05 expected goals. The figures were described as Arsenal’s most shots in a Champions League match.
Mikel Arteta’s side failed to convert several openings. Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka missed chances in the first half, while Piero Hincapie fired over from close range after the interval.
Odegaard broke the deadlock after a quick one-two with substitute Christos Tzolis, sending a low shot in off the post from the edge of the penalty area.
Arsenal then missed another opportunity when substitute Noni Madueke was denied in a one-on-one situation and Tzolis saw a follow-up effort blocked on the line. Napoli threatened late, but Kevin De Bruyne failed to capitalise on a rare chance.
The result was Arsenal’s fifth consecutive win in all competitions, according to Sky Sports. The club were Champions League runners-up last season.
