Arsenal secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, bringing them to the brink of the Champions League last 16. Declan Rice opened the scoring with a thunderous volley in the second minute, marking his first goal in the competition. Kai Havertz doubled the lead in the 66th minute with a precise header, assisted by Gabriel Martinelli, who was instrumental throughout the match. Captain Martin Ødegaard sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal, his first in 14 games.
Player Ratings:
David Raya – 6: Had little to do as Dinamo Zagreb failed to register a single shot on target.
Jurrien Timber – 5: Involved in early attacks but was caught off guard on occasion, notably when losing possession to Sandro Kulenovic.
Jakub Kiwior – 5: Faced scrutiny after losing possession, leading to a near chance for Dinamo.
Gabriel – 6: Missed a clear opportunity to score from a corner but remained solid defensively.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6: Forward-thinking and delivered crosses into the box, contributing to the attacking play.
Declan Rice – 8: Dominant in midfield, scored his first Champions League goal, and was pivotal in both defense and attack.
Jorginho – 6: Controlled the midfield alongside Ødegaard, though a misplaced back pass nearly caused trouble.
Martin Ødegaard – 7: The engine of the team, provided key passes, and capped the performance with a late goal.
Raheem Sterling – 4: Struggled to make an impact, continuing his recent lackluster form in front of goal.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8: A constant threat on the wing, instrumental in both goals, and showcased his indispensability.
Kai Havertz – 7: Provided an assist for Rice’s opener and scored the second goal, contributing significantly to the victory.
Substitutes:
Ethan Nwaneri (for Sterling, 57 mins) – 6: Received a warm welcome but had limited impact against a subdued opposition.
Thomas Partey (for Timber, 57 mins) – 6: Offered stability in midfield during his cameo.
Kieran Tierney (for Zinchenko, 73 mins) – 5: Maintained composure after coming on.
Leandro Trossard (for Havertz, 74 mins) – 5: Marked his 100th appearance for the club with a solid performance.
This victory places Arsenal in a strong position, needing just a draw in their next match against Girona to secure automatic qualification to the last 16, thus avoiding a playoff tie. The team’s performance, highlighted by standout contributions from Rice and Martinelli, reflects their growing dominance in the competition.
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