Arsenal opened their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win away to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday (9 September 2026). Captain Martin Odegaard struck in the 75th minute after a patient build-up, curling a clean shot in off the post.
Chances before the breakthrough
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half and registered 13 shots before the break, the most Arsenal have managed in the opening period of a Champions League away match on club records. Bukayo Saka’s overhead kick from Viktor Gyokeres’s cross was saved by Alex Meret, and Merino’s header from Ebere Eze’s nod-back was tipped over.
Saka then skied a 12-yard chance just before half-time after Odegaard’s through ball. Early in the second half, Piero Hincapie put a six-yard chance over the bar after another Odegaard scoop.
Odegaard finishes the move
The winner arrived after Bruno Guimaraes found Ben White in the box. White laid the ball off to Odegaard, who exchanged passes with substitute Christos Tzolis and drove the shot home from the edge of the area. It was Odegaard’s fourth goal of the campaign and his first Champions League strike since March 2025.
Late chances fell to Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz, with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, on for the injured Meret, making a one-on-one save. Arsenal have now won their last 13 Champions League league-phase or group-stage matches.
What comes next
The result makes it five wins from five in all competitions for Arsenal. They travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, then face Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup third round at Portman Road on Tuesday, 15 September.
