Martin Ødegaard's impressive form has eased concerns over Arsenal's forward line, with the Norwegian midfielder scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 Champions League victory over Napoli. Ødegaard took his tally to four from five games, having managed just one in the previous campaign, ravaged by injury and a loss of form. His goal, an unerring finish, was the culmination of smart interplay involving substitutes Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis, with Ben White also in the mix.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised Ødegaard's contribution, saying that he needs to be available and occupy different heights in the team, especially in the attacking phase. Arteta has encouraged Ødegaard to get into those positions more often, and the midfielder has responded by taking different heights and angles to disorganize the opponent. Ødegaard remains the conduit through which so much of Arsenal's best football flows, and his regular contribution at his best is near the top of the list of improvements that can come from within the squad.
Arsenal extended a remarkable 13-game winning streak in Champions League group matches and have just one defeat in 13 European away games. They are undeniably one of the favorites to win this competition, and Ødegaard's goal ensured that those filing out into the sweltering Naples night heat can focus on that rather than what they might be missing.