Arsenal Cruise to Victory and Eye Last-16 Berth

Arsenal secured a routine win over Dinamo Zagreb to all but seal their place in the last-16 of the Champions League with a game to spare. Declan Rice opened the scoring in just the second minute, while Kai Havertz added a second with a header midway through the second half, and Martin Odegaard grabbed a third in stoppage time to complete the scoring.

Rapid Rice

Arsenal made a flying start to the game, with Rice firing them into an early lead after just 104 seconds. Martinelli was the architect of the goal, surging into the left side and teeing up Rice, who thundered the ball into the net to register his first Champions League goal.

The goal gave Arsenal the perfect start, but they were unable to add to their lead in the opening 45 minutes, despite creating several chances. Rice was denied by a fine sliding block from Maxine Bernauer, while Gabriel headed wide from an Odegaard corner.

Dinamo, who had not played a competitive game for a month due to the Croatian league’s winter break, offered little threat before half-time, failing to register a shot on target.

Havertz Heads Home

The second half began slowly, but Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock again on 66 minutes when Havertz headed home a cross from Martinelli. It was a well-taken goal from the German, who managed to get between the defenders and plant a header into the net.

Rice should have made it 3-0 10 minutes later when he was played in by Ethan Nwaneri, but he headed wide with only the keeper to beat.

Skipper Strikes

Arsenal found one more final flourish in stoppage time when Odegaard grabbed a third. The Norwegian was on hand to finish off a delivery from Leandro Trossard, who had come off the bench just 11 seconds earlier to make his full Arsenal debut.

It was a fitting end to a comfortable victory for Arsenal, who are now almost certain of a place in the last-16 of the Champions League. They will be looking to confirm their qualification when they travel to Girona in their final group game on Wednesday, January 29.

FACTS AND STATS

Since the start of last season, no team has won more home games (8) or kept more home clean sheets (8) in the Champions League than Arsenal.

Dinamo Zagreb have lost eight of their last nine European away games against English sides (W1), conceding at least two goals in every defeat.

Declan Rice’s opener after 104 seconds was Arsenal’s earliest Champions League goal since November 2014 – Yaya Sanogo after 72 seconds against Borussia Dortmund.

Kai Havertz has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season (30 games), as many as he managed in 51 appearances last season. Tonight was the first time the German has both scored and assisted in the same Champions League match.

Dinamo Zagreb failed to register a single shot on target in a Champions League match for the first time since October 2016 (vs Sevilla).

Ethan Nwaneri made his fourth Champions League appearance – only Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott (5 each) have made more for Arsenal before turning 18.

Jakub Kiwior completed all 55 of his passes tonight – the only Arsenal players on record (since 2003/04) with more passes in a Champions League match while maintaining a 100% accuracy are Nacho Monreal (68 v Anderlecht in November 2014) and Laurent Koscielny (65 v Borussia Dortmund in October 2013).

What’s Next

After five straight home matches, Arsenal head to Wolves on Saturday for Premier League action, before packing their bags for Spain and their final group against Girona on Wednesday, January 29. They’re then back in league action on Sunday, February 2 when Manchester City are the next visitors to Emirates Stadium.