Arsenal breaks club record in Naples, but Arteta demands more

Arsenal remain unbeaten in the Premier League and achieved on Wednesday in Naples the first victory in a Champions League match, with Martin Ødegaard scoring the winning goal and the club setting a new record of 26 shots in an away game, with a dominant performance.

Club record and match overview

Arsenal dominated in Naples and recorded as many as 26 attempts on goal, a club record for an away match in the Champions League. Napoli held the score for a long time, until Ødegaard scored the winning goal fifteen minutes before the end. The Gunners thereby secured their first Champions League match victory of the season.

Manager Mikel Arteta was pleased with the start, but admitted that the result could have been much larger. ‘We were fantastic, but we could have won by a much bigger margin’, said the manager. He also praised match‑winner Martin Ødegaard for his decisive contribution.

Arteta and Ødegaard: reactions and future

The 27‑year‑old Norwegian, Martin Ødegaard, scored his fourth goal in five games this season. Last season he was still plagued by injuries and found the net only once in 36 matches. His recent form now shows the impact Arteta was looking for.

‘I didn’t even see the ball go in’, Ødegaard explained about his winning strike. He said that at one point he decided to shoot from outside the penalty area, after which the ball ended up behind the goal.

After the match Arteta asked whether winning the Champions League is the goal again. He recalled the loss in last year’s final against Paris Saint‑Germain after a penalty shoot‑out, but emphasized that the team now has an excellent record.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in thirteen consecutive group matches in the Champions League. This uninterrupted run underscores the hunger and drive that Arteta sees in his squad.

‘The way the team keeps responding, even when we lose the ball, is truly incredible’, said Arteta. He concluded that the mental strength of the players is the key to achieving future victories.