Arsenal defeat Napoli 1-0 in Champions League opener

Football Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League opener thanks to a second-half goal from Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard. Arsenal defeated Napoli 1-0 at the Estádio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday in their opening UEFA Champions League match.

Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard scored the decisive goal in the second half to secure all three points for the English side in Italy. Arsenal controlled much of the game in Naples and created the clearest chances during the first half.

The London club almost took the lead in the 21st minute when Eberechi Eze lifted a cross into the penalty area for Mikel Merino. The midfielder was unmarked inside the box and directed his header toward goal, but Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret produced a fine save to keep the game level.

The host goalkeeper was called into action again ten minutes later when Piero Hincapié advanced down the left side and attempted a dangerous cross-shot that nearly surprised Meret. Napoli threatened at the other end through attempts from Kevin De Bruyne and Matteo Politano, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made key saves to deny the Italian hosts.

Arsenal had another clear opportunity shortly before the interval. In the 44th minute, Odegaard set up Bukayo Saka at the edge of the penalty box, but the forward sent his shot over the crossbar.

Odegaard breaks the deadlock The visiting side maintained their attacking pressure after the break and finally broke through 29 minutes into the second half. Following a neat combination of passes, Odegaard received the ball at the edge of the penalty area and drove a low shot toward goal.

Milinkovic-Savic managed to get a hand to the ball, but could not prevent it from crossing the goal line. The result gives Arsenal a winning start in the newly expanded UEFA Champions League league phase, where 36 teams compete in a single standings table to reach the knockout rounds.

The defeat leaves Napoli seeking their first points of the continental campaign inside their historic stadium in southern Italy. Odegaard, who serves as Arsenal captain, delivered the decisive moment in a hard-fought midfield battle against the Serie A side.

His goal rewarded a dominant away performance from the London club, who kept Napoli quiet for long periods of the match. Domestic league action returns With the Champions League paused until the second half of October, both teams will quickly turn their attention back to their domestic league fixtures this coming weekend.