Arsenal dominate but fail to find an early breakthrough
Arsenal quickly established control in Naples, moving the ball confidently and creating repeated openings around the Napoli penalty area.
The visitors had 13 shots in the first half alone, their highest total in the opening 45 minutes of a Champions League away match since records began in the 2003-04 season, according to Opta. Yet the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Bukayo Saka had one of Arsenal's clearest opportunities after Ødegaard played him through, but the winger fired over the crossbar. Mikel Merino also came close after Eberechi Eze headed a Saka delivery back across goal, only for Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret to make the save. Arsenal's pressure continued without producing the goal Arteta's side wanted.
Ødegaard breaks the deadlock
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 75th minute. Substitute Christos Tzolis combined with Ødegaard before the Arsenal captain fired a low shot from the edge of the box. The ball struck the post and went into the net, giving Arsenal the lead after a long period of pressure.
The goal was Ødegaard's fourth in five games this season and continued a strong start to the campaign for the Norwegian midfielder.
The build-up was also notable. Arsenal completed 29 passes before the finish, making it their second-longest passing sequence leading to a Champions League goal since 2003-04, according to Opta.
Arsenal had chances to finish the game
The 1-0 scoreline did not fully reflect Arsenal's control. The Gunners registered 26 shots during the match, their highest total in a Champions League game since 2003-04. Their expected-goals figure was also 4.05, compared with just 0.22 for Napoli, according to Opta's match data.
Arsenal almost doubled their advantage late in the game when Noni Madueke was played through on goal. Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić made the save, while Tzolis saw the follow-up effort blocked on the line.
Kai Havertz later appeared to score after Napoli failed to clear another attack, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Those missed chances left Arsenal vulnerable to a late Napoli equalizer.
Napoli threaten late but cannot find a goal
Napoli struggled to create the same volume of opportunities as their visitors but nearly rescued a point near the end.
Kevin De Bruyne found space in the closing stages and appeared to have an opportunity to shoot at goal. Instead, he attempted to cross, allowing Arsenal to survive the danger.
Despite the late pressure, Arsenal held on for their first three points of the new Champions League campaign.
The result was also another clean sheet for Arteta's side. Arsenal have now recorded 20 clean sheets in 40 Champions League matches under the manager, according to Opta.
What the Napoli result means for Arsenal
The victory gives Arsenal an important start to the league phase after they reached the Champions League final last season.
More importantly, the performance showed that Arteta's side can control a difficult away match while continuing to create chances even when the finishing is not at its best.
Arteta said after the match that Arsenal deserved the three points but should have scored more, praising the team's attitude, courage and quality in a difficult environment.
Ødegaard's contribution was particularly important. His goal provided the difference on a night when Arsenal's overall performance was considerably stronger than the final score suggested.
Napoli, meanwhile, will have to improve after another defeat under Massimiliano Allegri.
What happens next
Arsenal leave Naples with three points and a clean sheet, while Ødegaard's form gives Arteta another positive to take from the opening European fixture.
The bigger concern for Arsenal will be their finishing. Creating 26 shots and generating more than four expected goals should normally produce a more comfortable result.
For now, though, the Gunners have what matters most at the start of a Champions League campaign: an away victory against a strong opponent.
Ødegaard's 75th-minute strike was enough to settle a match Arsenal largely controlled, giving last season's finalists a winning start to their European campaign.
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