Comprehensive Match Report: Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
We all but secured our spot in the Champions League last-16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, leaving just one game to spare.
Declan Rice got us off to a flying start with a thunderous strike in the second minute, followed by Kai Havertz’s deft header from a Gabriel Martinelli cross midway through the second half. Martin Ødegaard capped the performance with a stoppage-time goal to seal the result.
Currently third in the 36-team table with 16 points, only a significant loss to Girona next week combined with favorable results for six other teams could see us drop out of the top eight and miss out on skipping February’s play-off round.
Rapid Rice
Dinamo Zagreb arrived with new manager Fabio Cannavaro and hadn’t played a competitive match in over a month due to the Croatian league’s winter break. Arsenal capitalized immediately, surging into the lead just 104 seconds in.
Martinelli drove down the left wing and found Havertz in the box, who perfectly laid off the ball for Rice to smash home a half-volley—his first Champions League goal and Arsenal’s fastest in the competition in 10 years.
Despite dominating the first half, Arsenal couldn’t increase their lead. Maxine Bernauer’s sliding block denied Rice a second, while Gabriel narrowly headed wide from a Martin Ødegaard corner.
Dinamo failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, a pattern that extended through their last three Champions League matches. Arsenal, meanwhile, continued to threaten, with Martinelli forcing Ivan Nevistić into action late in the half.
Havertz Heads Home
The second half started slowly, but Arsenal soon reignited the match. Havertz had a goal ruled out for offside after Raul Torrente cleared his effort off the line. However, it didn’t take long for Martinelli to create another moment of magic.
In the 66th minute, Martinelli weaved in from the left and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Havertz rose between defenders to head home his 14th goal of the season. This also marked the 500th goal scored during Mikel Arteta’s tenure as manager.
Rice came close to making it 3-0 when substitute Ethan Nwaneri floated a perfect ball into the box, but the England midfielder mistimed his header, sending it well wide.
Captain’s Finish
In stoppage time, Arsenal added a final flourish. Leandro Trossard, making his 100th appearance for the club, delivered a cross from the left that evaded the Dinamo defense, allowing Ødegaard to slot it home. It was the captain’s first goal since November.
The night ended on a high as Nathan Butler-Oyedeji came on to make his Arsenal debut in the final minutes, capping off a routine win that virtually guarantees progression to the last-16.
Facts and Stats
- Arsenal have won more home games (8) and kept more clean sheets (8) in the Champions League since the start of last season than any other team.
- Declan Rice’s goal after 104 seconds was Arsenal’s fastest Champions League strike since November 2014 (Yaya Sanogo, 72 seconds, vs. Borussia Dortmund).
- Kai Havertz has matched his goal tally from last season (14) in just 30 games this campaign. This was also the first time he scored and assisted in the same Champions League match.
- Ethan Nwaneri has made four Champions League appearances, with only Cesc Fàbregas and Theo Walcott (5 each) having made more for Arsenal before turning 18.
- Jakub Kiwior completed all 55 of his passes, maintaining a 100% accuracy rate.
What’s Next?
Arsenal travel to Wolves on Saturday for Premier League action before facing Girona in Spain on Wednesday, January 29, in their final group-stage match. The Gunners then host Manchester City on Sunday, February 2, as they return to league competition.
