Arsenal all but secured their place in round of 16 of the Champions League when they beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The Gunners got off to the perfect start, with Declan Rice finding the back of the net after just 104 seconds thanks to good work from Gabriel Martinelli down the left flank.
Kai Havertz nodded home Arsenal's second shortly after the hour mark, scoring a deserved goal after a strong display from the striker.
Captain Martin Odegaard capped off a dominant display late on in the second half after crashing the box in stoppage time, and the three-goal victory was a fair reflection of the match.
Mikel Arteta's team ended the night third in the Champions League table with 16 points and need just one more to qualify automatically to the round of 16.
Dinamo Zagreb are 26th with eight points but are just two points and two places from the round of 16 playoff spots.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Arteta will be pleased that his players managed to get the job done against Dinamo Zagreb, especially as the Champions League may prove to be the club's best chance of winning silverware.
The Gunners boss has come under pressure for the team's mixed showings this term, and he has arguably not been more heavily scrutinised since 2021-2022 when his side finished fifth in the Premier League.
Knockout football in the Champions League can be unpredictable, but given Arsenal have shown they are capable of remaining defensively secure, they should be confident that they can compete with Europe's elite.
ARSENAL VS. DINAMO ZAGREB HIGHLIGHTS
Declan Rice goal vs. Dinamo Zagreb (2nd min, Arsenal 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb)
Declan Rice fires in an early opening goal for Arsenal 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
Clinical forward play!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/c3xfSnQkSQ
Gabriel Martinelli charges down the left flank and curls a left-footed cross into the penalty area to Kai Havertz, who lays a pass off to Declan Rice, and the midfielder strikes a half-volley into the bottom-left corner.
The perfect start for Arsenal!
Kai Havertz goal vs. Dinamo Zagreb (66th min, Arsenal 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb)
Kai Havertz scores Arsenal's second of the night 🫡
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
A cracking ball from Gabriel Martinelli 📌
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Martinelli has time and space on the left flank, and drives from the touchline towards the corner of the penalty area and swings in a cross with his right foot to Kai Havertz, who nods home from the edge of the six-yard box.
He needed that goal!
Martin Odegaard goal vs. Dinamo Zagreb (91st min, Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb)
Martin Ødegaard crowns an excellent Arsenal performance with their third goal ©️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7NILpj4Lvb
Leandro Trossard collects possession on the left of the box, and he delays a moment before his cross deflects into the path of Martin Odegaard, who crashes the penalty area and finishes from close range.
Great movement by Odegaard!
MAN OF THE MATCH - GABRIEL MARTINELLI
© Imago
Garbriel Martinelli has been criticised for his performances this season, but he was vital for Arteta on Wednesday, producing a fantastic cross in the buildup to Rice's opener and providing an assist for the Gunners' second.
The winger also completed four dribbles - the most of any player on the pitch - and created two chances, highlighting that he could be a creative force for Arsenal in the absence of Bukayo Saka.
ARSENAL VS. DINAMO ZAGREB MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 63%-37% Dinamo Zagreb
Shots: Arsenal 17-5 Dinamo Zagreb
Shots on target: Arsenal 4-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Corners: Arsenal 11-3 Dinamo Zagreb
Fouls: Arsenal 9-7 Dinamo Zagreb
BEST STATS
Declan Rice's strike was the fastest goal Arsenal have scored in the Champions League since November 2014.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
What a way to get off the mark 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/1ZfTkl1A3x
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal will hope to salvage their Premier League season and win against Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home on Saturday, before facing Girona on January 29 in their final league stage game of the Champions League.
Dinamo Zagreb are set to take on NK Istra 1961 on Saturday in the Croatian top flight, and will then host AC Milan in the Champions League on January 29.
Lewis Nolan
