Goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and took Mikel Arteta’s side to the brink of automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
Rice, a former Conference League winner with West Ham United, had not scored in his last 15 appearances in Europe’s premier club competition but needed just two minutes to score a scintillating half-volley after Havertz’s drilled cross from Gabriel Martinelli round the corner 12th minute cushioned meters away.
The goal calmed nerves at the Emirates Stadium after Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa, in which Mikel Arteta’s side gave up a two-goal lead to pick up just one point.
There were no such errors against a Dinamo side coached for the first time by former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro. Arsenal were in complete control of the game without ever really having to shift out of second gear.
It took Arsenal over an hour to score their second goal as their control of the ball and territory did not result in a plethora of chances. Havertz was once again the player of the big occasion, moving unmarked to the back post, rising highest and meeting Martinelli’s inviting cross.
Odegaard scored the third goal in stoppage time, converting the ball from close range after good work from Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners sit third in the Champions League table with five wins and one draw from seven games and will secure a place in the top eight provided they are not beaten by Girona on matchday eight, and a whole host of others Play results that go against them.
Read the full match report of Arsenal beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 here.
*Reviews provided by FotMob
Position/player | Evaluation |
|---|---|
GK: David Raya | 6.9/10 |
RB: Jurrien Timber | 7.6/10 |
CB: Jakub Kiwior | 7.4/10 |
CB: Gabriel | 7.7/10 |
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko | 7.4/10 |
DM: Georginho | 7.7/10 |
CM: Martin Odegaard (c) | 8.7/10 |
CM: Declan Rice | 8.2/10 |
RW: Raheem Sterling | 7.0/10 |
CF: Kai Havertz | 8.1/10 |
LW: Gabriel Martinelli | 8.0/10 |
SUB: Thomas Partey (58′ for Timber) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Ethan Nwaneri (58′ for Sterling) | 6.7/10 |
SUB: Leandro Trossard (74th for Havertz) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Kieran Tierney (74th minute for Zinchenko) | 6.5/10 |
SUB: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (90th minute for Martinelli) | N/A |
Unused Subs: Neto (TW), Tommy Setford (TW), Maldini Kacurri, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Ismael Kabia.