Martin Ødegaard scored a stunning 75th-minute winner as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday.
The Arsenal captain produced a superb finish from outside the box to settle a match dominated for long periods by the visitors.
Christos Tzolis played a key role in the move, combining with Arsenal’s attack before setting up Ødegaard, who unleashed a powerful effort that went in off the post.
The victory extended Arsenal’s perfect start to the season and gave Mikel Arteta’s side an important three points away from home.
Arsenal dominated the opening stages and created several opportunities but were unable to find a breakthrough.
Mikel Merino saw an early header saved by Alex Meret, while Bukayo Saka missed a major chance before half-time.
The visitors continued to apply pressure after the restart, with Piero Hincapié also failing to convert from close range.
Arsenal’s control was reflected in their attacking numbers, with the Gunners registering more than 20 attempts and 13 shots during the first half.
Napoli, under Massimiliano Allegri, struggled to match Arsenal’s intensity and found it difficult to break through a disciplined defence.
Kevin De Bruyne threatened at times for the hosts, but David Raya and the Arsenal backline kept Napoli at bay.
Arteta strengthened his attack with a series of substitutions, bringing on Tzolis, Noni Madueke and Bruno Guimarães as Arsenal continued to search for the opening goal.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 75th minute.
Tzolis helped create the opening for Ødegaard, who received the ball around the edge of the area before firing a powerful shot across goal.
The effort struck the far post and bounced into the net, leaving the Napoli goalkeeper with no chance.
Ødegaard’s goal was his fourth of the season and capped another influential performance from the Arsenal captain.
Napoli tried to respond but could not find a way through Arsenal’s defence.
Madueke had an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt late in the match, but Arsenal were ultimately content to protect their narrow advantage.
The win represents an encouraging beginning to Arsenal’s latest Champions League campaign after they finished runners-up in last season’s competition.
It also maintains their perfect start across all competitions and gives Arteta’s team confidence ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Napoli, by contrast, suffered another setback under Allegri, with the defeat marking their third consecutive loss.
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Premier League, travelling to face Sunderland on Saturday before their Carabao Cup meeting with Ipswich Town.
They will then face Brighton before the next international break.
For Arsenal, however, the immediate focus will be on a Champions League campaign that could again see them challenge for European football’s biggest prize.
And in Naples, Ødegaard provided the moment of quality that ensured the Gunners left Italy with maximum points.
