Goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Ødegaard secured a comfortable 3-0 victory for Arsenal over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, bringing Mikel Arteta’s side closer to automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.
Rice, who had gone 15 matches without scoring in Europe’s premier competition, opened the scoring just two minutes in with a stunning half-volley. Havertz laid the ball down for Gabriel Martinelli’s drilled cross, which Rice expertly rifled home from 12 yards to give Arsenal an early lead.
The goal eased any lingering nerves following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, where Arsenal had surrendered a two-goal advantage. Against Dinamo Zagreb, under the management of former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro, there were no such slip-ups. Arsenal maintained full control of the match, cruising through the game without needing to push beyond second gear.
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It took over an hour for the Gunners to score again, despite dominating possession. Havertz made his mark, rising unchallenged at the back post to head home Martinelli’s excellent cross. Ødegaard added a third in stoppage time, finishing from close range after a well-worked assist from Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal now sit third in the Champions League table with five wins and a draw from their seven games. A top-eight finish is within reach as long as they avoid a heavy defeat to Girona on matchday eight and several other results go their way.
