Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Champions League last-1616 qualification nears for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal all but secured their place in round of 16 of the Champions League courtesy of beating 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 😮‍💨

Clinical forward play!

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/c3xfSnQkSQ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025

Martinelli charges down the left flank and curls a left-footed cross into the penalty area to Havertz, who lays a pass off to 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 🫡

A cracking ball from Gabriel Martinelli 📌

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FmmmipkGpp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025

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 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 ©️

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7NILpj4Lvb

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025

Leandro Trossard collects possession on the left of the box, and he delays a moment before his cross deflects into the path of Odegaard, who crashes the penalty area and finishes from close range.

Great movement by Odegaard!

MAN OF THE MATCH - GABRIEL MARTINELLI

© Imago

Martinelli has been criticised for his performances this season, but he was vital for Arteta on Wednesday, producing a fantastic cross in the build-up 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.

What a way to get off the mark 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/1ZfTkl1A3x

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025

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.