Martin Ødegaard Scores As Arsenal Beat Napoli 1-0 In UEFA Champions League

Arsenal opened their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win away to Napoli on Wednesday at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Martin Ødegaard scoring the winner with 15 minutes to go.

“smashed in the winner with 15 minutes remaining”

FotMob

FotMob said the match was decided when Ødegaard “smashed in the winner with 15 minutes remaining,” after Arsenal dominated throughout and Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino passed up first-half chances.

Al Jazeera

The Guardian described how Christos Tzolis cut in and drove towards the penalty area before Ødegaard arrived to take the ball and finish, with Kai Havertz turning Tzolis’s pass into a “perfect assist” for the captain.

Arsenal’s control was reflected in their shot volume, with FotMob noting Arsenal had 13 shots across the opening 45 minutes, the most they have ever had in the first half of a Champions League away game on record (since 2003-04).

After the win, Mikel Arteta framed Ødegaard’s impact in terms of risk-taking, saying, “We need players with his mindset, his desire to make a difference and take risks.”

BBC Sport highlighted that Arsenal dominated Napoli but “it still took Odegaard to make the decisive contribution with a stunning left-foot strike 15 minutes from time,” as the captain’s form helped Arsenal secure the result.

BBC

The Telegraph characterized Arsenal’s performance as “comically wasteful,” while still crediting Ødegaard for bailing them out with a late goal that earned three points.

France 24 reported that Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri’s side suffered its third defeat in four matches, and quoted Giovanni Di Lorenzo saying, “We’re working hard and well, but unfortunately the results aren’t in our favor at the moment; it will turn in our favor.”

Looking ahead, Al Jazeera said Arsenal’s next European test is at home against Lille on Tuesday, October 13, while Napoli travel to Villarreal on the same day as they look to bounce back.

“Arsenal's next European test comes at home against Lille on Tuesday, October 13”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera also pointed to the immediate pressure on Napoli after the defeat, noting it followed back-to-back Serie A losses against Como and Inter, and that Napoli rarely ventured forward in the clash.

Opta match coverage said Arsenal’s win extended their run in the competition, stating “Arsenal have won their last 13 group-stage games in the UEFA Champions League,” and added that Arsenal had accumulated 4.05 expected goals (xG) to Napoli’s 0.22.

BBC Sport tied the stakes to Arsenal’s unfinished Champions League business, quoting pundit Nedum Onuoha saying, “They have got unfinished business in the Champions League,” and adding that Odegaard wants to be the first captain to lift the trophy.