Martin Odegaard is on a mission to put himself at top table of elite midfielders as captain's brilliance gives Arsenal the perfect start to Champions League campaign with victory at Napoli

Arsenal issued a warning to their own fans before kick-off in Naples, strongly advising them not to wear club shirts or scarves, or use public transport to avoid being targeted by Napoli ultras.

That was their biggest statement of the day — before Martin Odegaard, whose previous season was tarnished by injury and loss of form, ensured those travelling fans would be heading home in high spirits.

As Christos Tzolis’s pass reached the Norwegian just outside the area, his eyes lit up, driving forward on that wand of a left foot. Once he saw a gap, the captain curled the ball with pace and precision into the bottom left-corner to get Arsenal’s Champions League campaign off to a winning start.

It’s now four goals in five matches for Odegaard, who has entered this season on a mission to prove himself at the top table of elite midfielders after just one goal across all competitions last term.

Runners up in both 2006 and 2026 — either side of a crushing Europa League final loss to Chelsea under Unai Emery — the Champions League remains Arsenal’s last frontier.

A September night in Naples doesn’t dictate where the trophy will lie, but builds momentum and helps bypass the dreaded play-off round. They ought to use this result as a lesson going forward.