Napoli 0-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Ødegaard strikes to secure Champions League win

Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory away to Napoli to start their 2026/27 Champions League campaign in winning fashion.

Mikel Arteta made four changes to the side that defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the weekend, bringing in Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Piero Hincapié in the places of Kai Havertz, Christos Tzolis, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori.

The Gunners looked to break through the Napoli's defence and their first shot on target came just after 10 minutes when Gyökeres sent a trivela cross in for Bukayo Saka to unleash an acrobatic effort towards goal, but Alex Meret saved it well.

Familiar foe Kevin De Bruyne had the first chance for the hosts with a strike from range that did trouble David Raya, who saved but couldn't hold onto the ball with Ben White on hand to tidy up and clear the danger.

Meret denied Arsenal once again, this time from much closer, as Eze headed a ball across the face of goal for Merino to head towards the net from close range, only to be thwarted by the Italian shotstopper.

Arteta's side continued their hunt for the breakthrough, but they struggled to get past Napoli's stubborn defence and shotstopper, meaning they went into half-time with the tie goalless.

Arsenal remained the far more dominant side with 74% possession in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half, but they still couldn't get through Napoli. Their best chance fell to Piero Hincapié yards from goal, only for him to somehow fire it over the crossbar.

It was proving to be a frustrating night for the Gunners in front of goal with the hosts' setup forcing them to shoot from the edge of the box, efforts which were often blocked and cleared to prevent the danger.

The visitors' patience eventually paid off as they took the lead from an excellent team move and finish with 15 minutes to play. Substitute Bruno Guimarães combined with fellow newcomer Christos Tzolis and Ben White to tee up Ødegaard, who struck a fine effort from the edge of the box off the post and into the back of the net.

There was a perfect chance for Arteta's side to double their advantage and secure the win late on, when Kai Havertz played Noni Madueke through on goal, but he couldn't convert with the follow-up efforts also dealt with well.

It didn't matter though as they saw out the final moments to secure the victory and begin their Champions League campaign with an all-important three points.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 1-0 win at Napoli.

Napoli 0-1 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Almost spilled a save early on, but was bailed out by White. That was his only slip-up as he calmly dealt with all of Napoli's pressure and efforts for the remainder of the tie.

Ben White (RB) - 7.5/10 - Well placed to pounce on a loose save from Raya and clear the danger. Shot a tame effort at goal when he was better off squaring it. Dangerous in attack and solid in defence throughout the night. Involved in his side's opener. Subbed for the closing stages.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 7.5/10 - Did well to hold up Santos and kill a move at the end of the first-half. Another great performance at the back as he dealt with pressure when needed and also got up the pitch when he could.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) - 7/10 - Pretty steady in dealing with Højlund throughout the night, but his match became a lot less eventful as his side continued to dominate the play.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 7/10 - Almost caught out Meret with a cross-turned-shot, but he reacted just in time. Missed a great chance from close range where he had to do better. Clearly eager to get up the pitch, but also defended well when needed.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 8/10 - Involved in some nice intricate play with Saka. Played a brilliant looped pass for White to cross in, but nothing came of it. Did look to make some clever passes, but they didn't pay off. Fired his side in front with a great effort from the edge.

Mikel Merino (CM) - 7.5/10 - Thwarted from close range as he headed towards goal, but couldn't beat Meret. Really good in midfield, winning battles against his Napoli counterparts and helping to start attacking moves. Taken off after 65 minutes.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7/10 - Fired an ambitious effort from the edge of the box well over the bar. His passing was good as he linked up well with his teammates. Key in his side's dominance and eventual breakthrough.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 6.5/10 - Denied the opener from an acrobatic effort. Missed another chance and failed to make a significant impact in attack as he was brought off for the final 20 minutes.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 6.5/10 - Played a good trivella cross for Saka's overhead kick. Frustrated by a lack of space for chances to come his way. Replaced by Havertz for the game's final stages.

Eberechi Eze (LW) - 6.5/10 - Headed a ball across the face for Merino to meet with a header. Had some nice touches around the edge of the box and linked up well with his teammates, but didn't really make the impact he would've wanted. Withdrawn with 25 minutes to play.

Substitutes

• Christos Tzolis (on 66' for Eze) - 7/10
• Bruno Guimarães (on 66' for Merino) - 7/10
• Kai Havertz (on 73' for Gyökeres) - 6.5/10
• Noni Madueke (on 73' for Saka) - 6.5/10
• Martín Zubimendi (on 82' for White) - 6.5/10

Player of the match: Martin Ødegaard

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