Arsenal are passing every test - and Odegaard is in form of his life

What the report says

Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 away win over Napoli, and captain Martin Odegaard again provided the decisive moment. BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty reported that the midfielder scored with a left-foot finish 15 minutes from time after Arsenal had dominated much of the match but struggled to turn chances into goals. The result added to a strong start to the season for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The article says Odegaard has looked close to his best after an injury-hit previous campaign, when knee and shoulder problems limited his appearances and output. In contrast, he has already produced several important contributions early in the new season, including goals in wins over Manchester City, Chelsea and Napoli. Arteta said the captain is taking responsibility in key moments and is getting into scoring positions more often.

The performance also highlighted Arsenal’s wider progress in Europe. They created a high number of chances against Napoli and controlled large parts of the game, while the Italian side defended deep and stayed compact for long periods. BBC Sport notes that Arsenal have still not won the Champions League, having lost finals in the past, but their current form suggests they are handling major tests with growing confidence.

The piece presents Odegaard’s revival as significant for Arsenal’s ambitions in both the Premier League and Europe, with his form seen as central to how far the team can go this season.