Martin Odegaard produced a majestic late winner to gloss over a glut of missed Arsenal chances and ensure they would emerge from a challenging away assignment against Napoli victorious.
Saka and Hincapie Miss Sitters
Bukayo Saka had a golden opportunity to nudge Arsenal into the lead they deserved on the stroke of half-time after being slipped in on goal by the impressive Martin Odegaard. The England winger blazed over the bar, though, from inside the penalty area.
It was Piero Hincapie's turn to miss a sitter minutes after the restart after more fine work from Odegaard and Ben White, who flicked the ball to Arsenal's left-back at the far post, with the stretching Ecuador international only able to balloon the ball into orbit from a couple of yards out.
Odegaard Breaks the Deadlock
With time running out, it was Odegaard who dispatched a fine first-time effort from the edge of the box to break the deadlock. Noni Madueke and Christos Tzolis could have added a second late on, but their failure to do so was not punished as the game finished 1-0.
Arsenal's Expansive Approach
Although Arsenal went in at the break frustrated, there was once again plenty to admire about their offensive play. Often chastised for their approach last season, the Premier League champions took the handbrake off against Chelsea at the weekend in a pulsating showdown. And they attempted to continue in the same expansive vein here.
They pepped Napoli in the first half, registering 13 shots, three of which were on target (compared to four and three respectively for Napoli), accumulating an xG of 1.82. By the end of the night, that figure stood at a staggering 3.8.
Odegaard Back to His Best
If one player has benefitted from Arsenal's shift to a more expansive approach, it's their captain. Odegaard has looked a player reborn, already doubled his Premier League goal tally from last season after scoring twice in Arsenal's three league games - and he's now up and running in Europe, too.
With time running out, a moment of magic from Odegaard ensured Arsenal would now blow a golden opportunity to beat a Napoli side who were for the taking. The Norway international is back at the heart of everything good Arsenal do going forward - and his display in Naples was further proof that Odegaard is back to his fluent best.
Transfer Frustrations and Saka's Night
Though he is so often the difference for Arsenal, this was a night to forget in front of goal for Saka, who spurned the game's best chance in first half stoppage time.
Arsenal's failure to acquire another blue-chip attacker means there is now so much onus on Saka to produce clutch moments. On nights like this, where the England star wasn't quite on song in front of goal, Arsenal have a dearth of personnel capable of shouldering that responsibility in front of goal. Odegaard looks back to his best slightly further back and Kai Havertz can help ease the burden; he is the better centre forward option compared to Viktor Gyokeres, who was largely anonymous here.
Ultimately, talk of an elite left winger and a move for Julian Alvarez as another striker option failed to materialise. And if tonight exposed one thing, it reinforced how badly Arsenal still need another elite option in their attack after a challenging summer window.
Napoli's Disappointing Display
After years of battles in the title race, Arsenal and Kevin de Bruyne were reacquainted here. But it was a night to forget for the former Manchester City man who enjoyed so much domestic success at Arsenal's expense during his spell in England.
Napoli sat deep in a bid to contain Arsenal and posed little threat going forward. It felt like they were more desperate to avoid defeat rather than actually winning. For a big home outing in the Champions League, this was an extremely disappointing show.
Arsenal's Credentials Clear
We may only be a few weeks into the new season, but it already looks like Arsenal will take some stopping this season. On all fronts.
If Sunday's win against a Chelsea side many expect to push Arsenal close for the title this term, the Gunners were head and shoulders above Napoli and should have ended the night with more goals to their name. This is still a result that will put others on notice, though. And as far as starts to the season go, Mikel Arteta could hardly have asked for a better one.
