Arsenal took a giant step towards securing a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium. The result leaves the Gunners in third place, with only an improbable heavy defeat against Girona in their final group fixture standing in the way of automatic qualification for the knockout stage, bypassing the play-off round.
The North London side wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking the lead in just the second minute. Gabriel Martinelli delivered a precise cross, which Kai Havertz cushioned perfectly into the path of Declan Rice. The England midfielder struck a powerful first-time finish past Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic, sending the home crowd into early celebrations. Arsenal continued to control possession and create chances, with the Croatian visitors struggling to mount any significant threat in return.
Havertz and Odegaard Seal a Memorable Night for Arsenal
Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Martinelli, once again proving instrumental, curled in a pinpoint cross that Havertz met with a well-placed header, marking the 500th goal under manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners’ relentless attacking display was capped off late in the game when captain Martin Ødegaard bundled home a third, ensuring an emphatic scoreline that reflected their dominance.
Zagreb, who rarely ventured into Arsenal’s half, had little to offer in response. Their best opportunity fell to captain Arijan Ademi, whose speculative long-range shot sailed harmlessly over the bar. Arsenal, on the other hand, could have extended their lead further, with Rice having an effort blocked following a clever pass from Ødegaard, while centre-back Gabriel headed wide from close range. The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s men in pole position to progress, with confidence running high ahead of their final group-stage fixture.
Arsenal Strengthen European Campaign with Early Strike and Defensive Solidity
Mikel Arteta had emphasized the importance of capitalizing on Arsenal’s strong performances in the group stage, and his side wasted no time in delivering. Declan Rice opened the scoring with the Gunners’ earliest goal in European competition since Yaya Sanogo’s 72-second strike against Borussia Dortmund in 2014. The early breakthrough settled any nerves and set the tone for a dominant display at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners maintained control throughout the match, showcasing their attacking intent while staying disciplined at the back. Arteta’s tactical setup ensured that Arsenal remained compact in defense, allowing them to maintain their impressive record of conceding just two goals in the group stage— a defensive achievement bettered only by Inter Milan. With their place in the knockout rounds secured, Arsenal now look ahead to replicating their strong home performances on the European stage.
Defensive Depth and Squad Boost for Arteta
Arsenal’s defensive resilience was further strengthened by the return of key players, with Riccardo Calafiori making the bench after recovering from injury. Young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri also marked his return, offering Arteta additional squad depth ahead of a crucial phase in the competition. However, Myles Lewis-Skelly was absent due to a minor knock, and the Arsenal manager will hope to have the promising 18-year-old back in contention soon.
Arteta’s men have now lost just one of their last 26 home group-stage games in European competition, a testament to their dominance at the Emirates. As they progress to the knockout rounds, the Spaniard will be eager for his side to maintain their formidable home record and carry their momentum forward. With a solid defensive foundation and attacking efficiency, Arsenal have positioned themselves as serious contenders in this year’s tournament
