Goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, putting Mikel Arteta's side on the brink of automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.
Rice, a former Conference League winner with West Ham United, had not scored in his previous 15 appearances in Europe's top club competitions but needed just two minutes to pounce on a scorching half-volley after Havertz had deflected Gabriel Martinelli's drilled cross around 12. yards out.
The strike calmed any lingering nerves around the Emirates Stadium after Saturday's clash with Aston Villa, which saw Mikel Arteta's side surrender a two-goal lead to walk away with just a point.
There were no such mistakes against a dynamo team managed for the first time by the former Ballon d'Or Fabio Cannavaro's winner, with Arsenal in full control of proceedings without having to relinquish second gear.
It took Arsenal more than an hour to find their second goal, with possession and territory dominance failing to create many chances. Havertz was the man for the big occasion once again, leaving at the back post unmarked to rise higher and meet Martinelli's inviting cross.
Odegaard scored the third goal as the game entered the break, slotting home from close range after good work from Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners sit third in the Champions League table, with five wins and a draw recorded from their seven games, and they will seal a top eight spot provided they are not beaten by Girona on matchday eight, along with a host of other results against them.
Read the full match report from Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb here.
|
Position / Player |
ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
|
GC: David Raya |
6.9/10 |
|
RB: Jurrien Timber |
7.6/10 |
|
CB: Jakub Kivior |
7.4/10 |
|
CB: Gabriel |
7.7/10 |
|
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko |
7.4/10 |
|
DM: Jorginho |
7.7/10 |
|
CM: Martin Odegaard (c) |
8.7/10 |
|
CM: Declan Rice |
8.2/10 |
|
RW: Raheem Sterling |
7.0/10 |
|
CF: Kai Havertz |
8.1/10 |
|
LW: Gabriel Martinelli |
8.0/10 |
|
UNDER: Thomas Partey (58' for Timber) |
6.6/10 |
|
UNDER: Ethan Nwaneri (58' for Sterling) |
6.7/10 |
|
UNDER: Leandro Trossard (74' for Havertz) |
6.0/10 |
|
UNDER: Kieran Tierney (74' for Zinchenko) |
6.5/10 |
|
UNDER: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (90' for Martinelli) |
N/A |
Unused entities: Neto (GK), Tommy Setford (GK), Maldini Kacurri, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Ismael Kabia.