Arsenal eased to a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, with a place in the knockout rounds now assured barring a late-game disaster against Girona.
The Gunners hit the front early thanks to Declan Rice and were in complete control for the remainder of the night at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz's 14th goal of the season extended Arsenal's lead just before the hour mark, before captain Martin Odegaard scored his first goal from open play since April to wrap up a comfortable victory.
How the game played out
Dinamo Zagreb were playing in the competition for the first time under new manager Fabio Cannavaro – their tenth permanent manager since April 2020 – and had just two friendlies under their belt since December 22 last year, which means that the responsibility was on Arsenal to make a quick start.
The Gunners did not disappoint, shrugging off surrendering a two-goal lead against Aston Villa on Saturday to hit the front inside two minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli created some space on the left flank and sent a cross into the box, which was expertly parried by the battered Havertz. Rice arrived immediately, hitting a superbly controlled half volley into the back of Ivan Nevistic's net.
Arsenal maintained dominance inside the opening 25 minutes, never threatening again, before the visitors started to get a little more into the contest – 21-year-old Martin Baturina, seen by many as Croatia's long-term heir to Luka Modric, providing an overview of his talent on the ball.
The first half came and went without either goalkeeper being tested again, although Arsenal had all the momentum as Dinamo struggled to keep possession in the face of organized and intense pressing.
It took until 66 minutes for Arsenal to break through the Dinamo backline for the second time, registering just their third shot on target in the process. Martinelli was again the main creator, hitting a devilish ball into the area that was begging Havertz to rise higher and nod home. The German duly obliged, slotting the ball past Nevistic to register his 14th goal of the season.
Rice should have made it three ten minutes later but he contrived to head Ethan Nwaneri's superb cross. It didn't matter for Arsenal, who scored a third in the dying moments of the game through captain Martin Odegaard – the Norwegian heading home from close range after good work from substitute Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal now just need to avoid a disaster against Girona – as well as a run of results against them – to automatically qualify for the knockout rounds.
Check out the player ratings from Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb here.
The ongoing discourse on social media, and among pundits, is that Arsenal should sign a predatory striker who finds the net time and time again.
It's a statement that is objectively true – Arsenal struggle to score goals on occasion and sometimes seem to lack that killer instinct usually associated with a striker playing on the shoulder of the last defender.
But in Kai Havertz, who is usually tasked with getting the job done up top, they have a truly consistent performer. The German set up Rice's goal brilliantly and then sealed the game as a contest with his own 14th goal of the season.
He has now scored more goals than Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson, Rasmus Hojlund, Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic – a selection of some of Europe's highest profile strikers – this season, and is likely to pass the 20 mark goals by the time the season ends.
Arsenal's set-up play has been criticized in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka, with a lack of creativity and support in set-pieces.
Saka has been missed, obviously, and it is no exaggeration to say that the loss of their talisman has disrupted the flow of the Gunners. Truth be told, that would happen Liverpool if they lose Mohamed Salah, and it has already happened with Manchester City in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne.
The good news is that Gabriel Martinelli seems to be finding form again on the left wing, seemingly re-energized and ready to take on the burden of responsibility with Martin Odegaard. An assist here was the least the Brazilian deserved and it would be a surprise if there weren't more in the near future.
This looked like a night where Raheem Sterling really needs to make a statement. A night to show Arteta that he really has something to offer, a night to prove to Arteta that he deserves more minutes, and of course a night to show Arteta that the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri should not be on him in the firing order.
Unfortunately, it was not to be for the 30-year-old. Sterling's night lasted just 58 minutes, consisting of 33 touches and four dribbles, two of which were successful. He also attempted three crosses, although none found an Arsenal team-mate. It was a case of the same old story for the four-time Premier League winner, who seemed stripped of any kind of confidence.
On this evidence, there is little reason for Arteta to think Sterling can help him push Arsenal right Premier League and potentially Champions League glory, and, cynically speaking, he is taking up a domestic loan slot that could perhaps be better used elsewhere.