Declan Rice’s maiden Champions League goal, a thunderous volley inside the opening two minutes, set the stage for Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, effectively sealing their progression to the knockout stages. While Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard added further gloss to the scoreline in the second half, it was Gabriel Martinelli’s dynamic performance and involvement in both the first and second goals that truly illuminated the Emirates Stadium on a frigid North London evening. This dominant display, albeit against a Dinamo Zagreb side that failed to register a single shot on target, reinforces Arsenal’s burgeoning confidence and underlines their ambition in Europe’s premier club competition. Although automatic qualification is not yet mathematically guaranteed, their position in the group standings looks increasingly secure.
Arsenal’s early breakthrough, courtesy of Rice’s powerful strike, settled any initial nerves and allowed the Gunners to dictate the tempo of the match. Despite creating a plethora of chances, their profligacy in front of goal prevented them from running away with the game in the first half. Dinamo Zagreb, while vocally supported by their travelling contingent, offered little in the way of attacking threat, allowing Arsenal’s backline to remain relatively untroubled. David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, experienced a heart-in-mouth moment with a poor clearance in the first half, but was otherwise largely untested. The Croatian side’s inability to penetrate Arsenal’s defense further highlighted the home side’s control of the game.
Martinelli’s tireless running and incisive passing were instrumental in Arsenal’s attacking fluency. His lung-bursting 60-yard run, culminating in a last-ditch tackle that denied him a spectacular solo goal, injected energy into Arsenal’s play and seemed to awaken them from a period of relative complacency. The young Brazilian’s influence was further underlined by his crucial involvement in both Havertz’s goals, first with the initial cross that led to Rice’s opener, and then with a delightful curling pass for Havertz’s headed finish. This performance surely makes him a strong contender for a regular starting berth in Arteta’s side.
Havertz, often criticized for his performances since joining Arsenal, silenced some of his detractors with a much-improved display. His intelligent lay-off for Rice’s goal and his well-placed header to double Arsenal’s lead demonstrated his potential to contribute significantly to the team’s attacking output. While he still exhibited moments of wasteful play, his two-goal contribution will undoubtedly boost his confidence and provide a platform for future improvement.
The midfield pairing of Rice and Odegaard provided the engine room for Arsenal’s dominance, controlling the tempo and dictating the flow of the game. Odegaard’s tireless work ethic and intelligent movement, dropping back to support the defense when needed, were crucial in stifling Dinamo Zagreb’s attempts to build any sustained attacks. His late goal, a simple tap-in, was a deserved reward for his tireless efforts and his first since November. Rice, despite being targeted by the away fans with projectiles before taking corners, continued to drive the team forward with his energy and passing range.
While some players shone, others struggled to make a significant impact. Raheem Sterling endured a largely anonymous evening, offering little in the way of attacking threat and picking up a yellow card for a reckless challenge. Jurrien Timber, despite some early involvement in attacks, was caught out of position on occasion and required a crucial intervention from Jakub Kiwior to prevent a potential Dinamo Zagreb scoring opportunity. Kiwior himself, however, impressed with his assured defensive display, providing a solid presence at the back and making several important interceptions.
The introduction of substitutes in the second half had minimal impact on the game, with Ethan Nwaneri, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, and Leandro Trossard all receiving limited opportunities to impress against a subdued Dinamo Zagreb side. Nwaneri’s return from injury was met with enthusiastic applause from the home crowd, while Trossard marked his 100th appearance for the club. Ultimately, Arsenal’s comfortable victory was secured by the first-half performances of key players like Rice, Martinelli, and Havertz, setting the stage for their likely progression to the Champions League knockout rounds.
