Classic, some would say: an old-fashioned 1-0 Arsenal away win. Three points on the board, the night closed, on to the next one. But this scoreline was not representative at all. Napoli could take some comfort from the scoreboard because Arsenal created enough at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to settle the match much earlier and much more comfortably.

The Gunners had 26 shots. They produced moves that looked as if they only needed one final touch. They also missed chances that were, honestly, strange to watch. Merino, Saka, Hincapie and later Madueke all had moments when the net seemed visible before the ball ended up where it should not. That is why 1-0 looks tight on paper, while the pitch told a different story: Arsenal were stronger, calmer and consistently closer to scoring.

Still, being the better team is never enough by itself away at Napoli. The Maradona is a stadium that carries weight even when the name of the man it honours is not being sung. That story has an Arsenal connection too. Diego really did come close to Highbury in 1982, but war, work-permit rules and an era in which football worked very differently closed that path. He went to Barcelona and then became immortal in Naples. Who knows what kind of wonder it might have been if the greatest footballer of all had first arrived in red and white.

That is why this win felt especially significant. Arsenal did not arrive to wait, defend and steal something. They came to play, control the ball and keep looking for an opening. The opening simply stayed closed for too long, partly because of Napoli but far more because of poor final actions.

Gyokeres finally started. You could see that he needs minutes and rhythm. It was not his night; he could not grow into the game in the way we know he can, and when he came off in the 73rd minute the feeling was that he is still some way from full sharpness. But another image remained: Arteta hugged him like a brother. It was not the cold, passing gesture of a manager at the touchline. It looked like a message to a player that his coach sees him, values him and wants the best for him. Sometimes a detail like that matters more than one poor touch. Gyokeres will get his minutes; now it is up to him to turn them into what he was signed for.

Tzolis' arrival lifted the match. He could have finished better himself at first, but he brought the directness that had been missing. In the 75th minute he linked with the captain, and then came the moment that will be remembered. Odegaard set himself on the edge of the box, opened up his left foot and sent the ball in off the post. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is a huge goalkeeper, stretching as far as he could, but there is not enough reach for a strike like that. The captain once again delivered when the difference between dominance and victory was needed.

Behind him, Konsa produced another serious display and another win. The new signing does not look like a visitor in this team, but like a player who is increasingly understanding what Arsenal demand of him. Alongside Gabriel he looked calm, strong and ready to take responsibility. If he continues like this, he will be far more than a good addition.

In the end, it is three points and a winning start to the European campaign. The score may be small, but the message is not. Arsenal can dominate even when the net does not open immediately. Arsenal can stay patient. And Arsenal now have a captain who can cut through an entire night with one strike.

Next comes the Premier League and a trip to Sunderland. Let the run continue.

Follow us for the next piece and everything that comes next.

Cover photo: Calciopedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.

Author: B.