Arsenal ratings: Odegaard’s sensational start to season continues at Napoli but Gyokeres is miles off the pace

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MARTIN ODEGAARD continued his incredible start to the season as he fired Arsenal to a win in their Champions League opener.

The Gunners edged a 1-0 win over Napoli to get their European campaign underway with three points.

Mikel Arteta‘s side dominated the ball and played patient attacking football as they waited for the right moment to pounce.

That came when captain Odegaard let fly from outside the area and broke the deadlock late in the second half.

Odegaard was the star of the show for most of the game, marking his fifth goal contribution in as many games this season.

Here’s how SunSport Arsenal Reporter Joshua Hall rated each individual Arsenal performance…

DAVID RAYA – 7

Uncharacteristically spilled Kevin De Bruyne’s powerful effort in the first half, but was solid with his shot-stopping throughout.

His distribution seems to have gone up another level this season and he was firing the ball to Arsenal shirts at every opportunity.

BEN WHITE – 7

Jurrien Timber travelled with the Arsenal team to Naples, but was still absent from the matchday squad, meaning White will be keeping his starting spot at right-back for a little while longer.

This was another solid performance from the 28-year-old, who isn’t going to be replaced without putting up a fight.

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EZRI KONSA – 8

There was understandably a lot of concern when news of William Saliba‘s back injury spread this summer, but Konsa has stepped into his shoes with ease.

Arteta has spoken in the past about “plug-and-play” signings and Konsa is showing that with his performances already.

This was another top showing from the former Aston Villa man, who looks dominant when he is called into action.

GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 8

Impressive as ever and adapting really well to playing alongside a new partner in Konsa.

The Brazilian made a crucial intervention to deny Kevin De Bruyne when the Napoli midfielder was bursting into the box.

PIERO HINCAPIE – 6

A first start of the season for the Ecuador international, who has a big task on his hands if he wants to keep in-form Riccardo Calafiori out of the team going forward.

Tried to make his mark with a cross-cum-shot that almost crept in, but was unable to pull off a miraculous goal.

He will be kicking himself for firing a golden opportunity over the bar early in the second half that should have been a guaranteed goal.

DECLAN RICE – 7

Rice has become ‘Mr. Reliable’ for Mikel Arteta ever since his arrival at the club in 2023 – this was another of those commanding performances.

The midfielder was so calm in his own box to prevent Napoli a goal in the first half and offered threat going forward too.

MIKEL MERINO – 7

Always drifting into the box and trying to impact the game like he has done so many times before.

There will be questions about if he should have done better when his first-half header was saved from point blank range.

But perhaps that is a sign of a player starting his first game in months.

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 9

The Norwegian has started the season on fire, using his World Cup campaign as a catalyst for his club form.

This game was no different as his dancing feet and remarkable vision played a part in almost every Arsenal attack.

But after nobody else could finish it off, it was his long-range bullet that found the back of the net and finally rewarded Arsenal for their patient play.

BUKAYO SAKA – 6

Not his usual clinical self despite working into a host of brilliant positions throughout the game.

He will be frustrated with how he made a hash of a huge opportunity when he was played through by Odegaard.

The linesman’s flag spared his blushes despite there being no offside in the build-up.

EBERE EZE – 6

Eze is going to have to play a lot more football on the left flank this season after the departures of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

The England international drifted in and out of the game and struggled to come up with the goods when he did have the ball at his feet.

Ultimately replaced by Christos Tzolis.

VIKTOR GYOKERES – 6

Arteta has trusted Kai Havertz in his opening four games this season, but finally gave Gyokeres the nod from the off in Naples.

The striker was largely anonymous, but it is hard to blame him given the way that Napoli set up so deep in their own half.

You have to wonder if Arteta should have stuck to his guns and played Havertz up top, particularly after his masterclass against Chelsea at the weekend.

The German did replace Havertz in the 73rd minute.

SUBSTITUTES

BRUNO GUIMARAES (for Merino, 65 mins) – 7

Another impressive substitute cameo from the Brazilian, who looks hungry to make an impact at Arsenal.

CHRISTOS TZOLIS (for Eze, 65 mins) – 7

Lashed at his chance inside the box as he tried to make an instant impact off the bench.

But managed to register an assist as he made the final pass to Odegaard for the game’s only goal.

NONI MADUEKE (for Saka, 73 mins) – 6

Had to do so much better when he was played through one-on-one against the goalkeeper by Havertz late on.

KAI HAVERTZ (for Gyokeres, 73 mins) – 7

His technical ability is a level above Gyokeres and it is evident whenever he gets the ball.

Thought he had tucked home a goal of his own in injury time, but was called offside.

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI (for White, 82 mins) – N/A

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