TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Arsenal kicked off their 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Napoli in the opening matchday of the league phase at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium early Friday morning, Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
A solitary goal from Martin Odegaard ensured The Gunners took home three points from Napoli's home ground, according to UEFA's official website as cited by Antara.
Arsenal sought to control the game from the outset. Mikel Arteta's squad created their first chance in the 13th minute through Bukayo Saka.
Receiving a pass from Viktor Gyokeres, Saka unleashed a shot that was saved by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
Napoli responded immediately two minutes later. Kevin De Bruyne fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but David Raya was alert enough to parry the ball away before Ben White cleared it from the danger zone.
Arsenal threatened again in the 22nd minute. Mikel Merino connected with a pass from Eberechi Eze, but Meret once again performed brilliantly to deny the opportunity.
Towards halftime, Arsenal had another chance through Saka; however, the English winger failed to capitalize on a pass from Odegaard. The score remained 0-0 at the break.
The match remained fiercely contested in the second half. Arsenal had another opportunity in the 50th minute when Piero Hincapie met a cross from Odegaard, but his shot sailed over the Napoli crossbar.
Both managers then made several substitutions. Arsenal brought on Christos Tzolis, a decision that proved inspired.
In the 75th minute, Tzolis made a crucial contribution by providing the assist for Odegaard. The Arsenal captain then converted the chance to put his team 1-0 ahead.
Arsenal nearly doubled their lead eight minutes later. Tzolis had a chance to capitalize on a rebound from a Noni Madueke shot, but failed to convert the opportunity into a goal.
Napoli increased the pressure in the closing minutes in search of an equalizer. De Bruyne tried his luck again in the 88th minute, but his shot went wide of the target. No further goals were scored before the final whistle.
Line-ups
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Mathias Olivera; Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, Kevin De Bruyne; Matteo Politano, Rasmus Hojlund, Alisson Santos.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): David Raya; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie; Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze.
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