Arteta celebrates Arsenal’s display as they cruise past Dinamo Zagreb

Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb tonight as a “massive step” towards securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Gunners finished after a routine win thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

And Arteta felt it was a mature performance on his part.

He told TNT Sports: “I’m really happy to win at home again and keep four clean sheets in a row in the competition. It’s a massive step. We’re very close to achieving the target we had before the start of the group stage”.

Rice got the ball rolling with a good finish after two minutes after good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.

Declan Rice fires in an early goal for Arsenal 😮‍💨

Clinical forward play!

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“We created a lot of chances,” added Arteta. “Declan mostly, but he missed some big chances, and very good from Martin. His first goal (and) he really needed it. You could tell by the way he celebrated that he was angry and wanted to do it, so, overall a very positive night.”

Arsenal have had mixed results in recent weeks and come into this game having squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the weekend.

Captain Odegaard says there’s no doubting the team’s mentality, though.

The Norwegian midfielder said: “Results always affect the mood a bit, but I think it’s been good.

“Everybody just wants to get better. Every time we drop points, everybody comes the next day hungrier and even more ready to go back. I think that’s the mentality, always one more, always have to be better and that’s good from see it.”

Martin Ødegaard crowns an excellent Arsenal performance with his third goal ©️

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025