When Arsenal are at their sharpest, Odegaard usually sits at the centre of it. His goal settled the contest, but his wider influence mattered just as much. He gives Arsenal rhythm in possession, presses with intent, and helps turn territorial control into pressure around the box.
In European away games, that matters. Arsenal did not need chaos. They needed authority, and their captain provided it.
The one concern for Arteta is that the game should have been put to bed earlier. Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino and others were unable to add to the score, leaving Napoli within reach longer than Arsenal would have liked.
That is the fine line in this competition. Domination is useful, but wastefulness keeps better opponents alive. Arsenal’s structure looked strong, their pressing appeared coordinated, and their control of the tempo was clear. The missing piece was the second goal that would have turned a good away win into a complete performance.
The new league-phase format puts a premium on strong starts, and an away win against Napoli gives Arsenal exactly that. Clean sheets travel well in Europe, and so does midfield control. Arteta’s team looked mature, composed and difficult to unsettle.
The next test is whether Arsenal can pair that authority with greater ruthlessness in front of goal. If they do, this opener may look less like a narrow win and more like an early statement. Their next European outing will show whether this was simply efficient or the start of a serious run.