Arteta lauds in-form Odegaard as ‘remarkable’ Arsenal edge Napoli

Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard for yet another match-winning moment as his goal secured a 1-0 win over Napoli on Wednesday. Despite the Gunners boss acknowledging that the victory did not fully represent his team's performance, the match was notable for Odegaard's 75th-minute strike after a night where his team amassed 26 shots, a club record for a home away game in the Champions League.

Odegaard has started the 2026/27 season with remarkable form, scoring four goals in five games, including back-to-back winners against Chelsea and Napoli. This significant improvement from the Arsenal skipper, who only managed a single goal in 36 appearances during the previous season, was addressed by Arteta. He highlighted Odegaard's increasing importance in the team's attacking phase, noting his growing capability to occupy different heights and make crucial decisions in games.

Arteta emphasized that Arsenal needs players with a winning mindset, willing to take risks and chase chances relentlessly. He also expressed pride in his team's strong start to the season, winning all three of their Premier League matches, including a Community Shield triumph over Manchester City. The victory over Napoli, however, Arteta felt, did not do justice to the team's overall performance, as they dominated the game with numerous chances and a purposeful attacking style.

For Napoli, the loss marked another setback for new coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has seen his side suffer three consecutive defeats across all competitions following recent reversals to Como and Inter. Injuries to key players Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa added to Allegri's challenges as he aims to secure a solid win against Bologna in their next league game.