Owen Sanders
The Gunners’ performance was so strong that only a devastating loss in Girona next week could prevent them from finishing in the top eight and avoiding the play-off round.
The match kicked off with an early breakthrough. Just two minutes in, Gabriel Martinelli’s cross found Kai Havertz, who expertly set up Declan Rice. The England midfielder then blasted the ball past Zagreb’s keeper Ivan Nevistic.
On the 66-minute mark, Havertz doubled Arsenal’s lead with a header from Martinelli’s curling cross – a goal that marked the 500th scored under manager Mikel Arteta’s leadership. Captain Martin Odegaard sealed the victory late in the game with a bundled third goal.
Dinamo Zagreb struggled to make any meaningful impact, rarely crossing into Arsenal’s half. Their captain Arijan Ademi’s long-distance shot was their most notable attempt, sailing well over the goal.
Arsenal could have potentially scored more. Rice had a shot blocked after a clever pass from Odegaard, and center-back Gabriel headed wide from close range during a corner kick.
The comprehensive win puts Arsenal in an excellent position to advance in the Champions League, showcasing their growing strength in European competition.
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