Online Reporter
But when it finally achieved lift-off with just 15 minutes left of this game, it was worth the wait.
Nothing was going to keep out Martin Odegaard’s stunning strike from outside the box, which was his fourth goal of the season.
The winning goal stood out because it was so at odds with what had taken place before it. Up until that point, the Gunners had been utterly woeful in front of goal.
And it was just as well there is a running track around this great stadium, or else those in the front rows would have been ducking for cover.
It was fitting that Arsenal took so long to get going, given how this tricky trip to Napoli started.
Air traffic control issues in the UK meant the squad’s flight did not land on Tuesday until 10pm, three hours later than planned.
And maybe that had an impact in the early stages, when Mikel Arteta’s side did much of the grunt work but lacked the final ball.
A win is a win, though, and Arteta will be especially pleased as this is the first of four away games before this month’s international break.
The Gunners want to go deep in the Champions League – as well as the Prem – after losing in the final last season.
They have the depth to do so and Arteta showed that by making four changes for this opening clash.
But Mikel Arteta resisted the urge to make sweeping changes, even with the embarrassment of riches he now has at his disposal.
Hincapie replaced Riccardo Calafiori in defence and Mikel Merino came into the midfield for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
In attack, Christos Tzolis and Kai Havertz made way so Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres could make their first starts of the season.
They came up against some familiar faces, including former Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne.
The 35-year-old has so often been a thorn in Arsenal’s side, and went into this clash with eight goals and four assists in his last 17 starts against the Gunners.
The best chance for Arsenal was wasted by Saka, though, who wildly fired over the bar when just inside the box.
The offside flag went up, but VAR may have ruled in Arsenal’s favour and it would have been no more than the visitors deserved.
Napoli were forced into a change at the break as Meret came off to be replaced by backup goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
But a new man between the sticks did little to change the Gunners’ fortunes.
The second half began like the first end, except this time Hincapie was the guilty party.
White’s header left the goal gaping for him from a matter of yards, yet somehow he spooned an effort over.
Arteta turned to his stacked bench with 25 minutes to go, throwing on Bruno Guimaraes and Tzolis.
The Greek winger did not fare much better, however, and he was the latest to pump one high into the Naples sky.
In the end, it was left for Odegaard to step up as captain as he arrowed one into the bottom corner off the post to win the game. — Sun.
