Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb tonight as a “huge step” towards securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners wrapped up after a routine win thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
And Arteta felt it was a mature performance from his side.
He told TNT Sports: “I’m very happy to win at home again and make it zero, four in a row in the competition. It’s a huge step. We are very close to achieving the goal we had before the group stage started.”
Rice took the ball with a fine finish after two minutes after good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.
Declan Rice fires in a first opening goal for Arsenal 😮💨
Clinical game ahead!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/c3xfSnQkSQ
— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
“We created a lot (of chances),” added Arteta. “Especially Declan, but he missed some big chances, and a very good one from Martin. His first goal (and) he really needed it. You could tell by the way he celebrated that he had an anger and a desire to do it, so overall a really 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.
However, Captain Odegaard says there is no doubting the team’s mentality.
The Norwegian midfielder said: “Results always affect the mood a bit, but I think it was good.
“Everyone just wants to get better. Every time we drop points, everyone comes the next day even hungrier and even more ready to go again. I think that’s the mentality, always one more, always have to be better and that’s good to see.”
Martin Ødegaard caps off a superb display for Arsenal with their third goal ©️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7NILpj4Lvb
— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
