Analysis The numbers behind the result
Arsenal's dominance justifies narrow win as Napoli lack threat
Arsenal's 1-0 victory was a fair reflection of their superior control and chance creation, with the Gunners' 58% possession translating into 26 shots (8 on target) versus Napoli's meagre 5 attempts (3 on target). Martin Odegaard's 75th-minute strike, assisted by Christos Tzolis, proved decisive in a match where Arsenal's xG dominance (implied by their 15 shots inside the box to Napoli's 2) should arguably have yielded a more comfortable margin.
Napoli's defensive approach under Allegri's 4-3-3 saw them surrender territory (42% possession) without generating meaningful counters, managing just 0 corner kicks and 2 blocked shots. Arsenal's midfield trio of Merino, Rice, and Odegaard dictated play, with the latter's late goal capping a performance backed by 6 corners and 11 shots from outside the box. Napoli's solitary yellow card for Billy Gilmour (42') summed up their reactive display, while Arsenal's wasteful finishing (11 shots off goal) kept the scoreline deceptively close.
The decisive stat: Arsenal's 26 total shots to Napoli's 5 - a 5:1 ratio that underscores the visitors' control. While Odegaard provided the clinical moment, the gulf in attacking intent was stark, with Napoli failing to register a single shot off target all game.