Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb this evening as a “big step” towards securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners are all but through 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 a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive time in the competition. It’s a huge step. We are very close to the goal we set ourselves before the start of the group stage.”
Rice got the ball rolling with a great finish after two minutes following good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.
Declan Rice scores an early opening goal for Arsenal 😮💨
Clinical forward game!
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
“We created quite a few chances,” Arteta added. “Especially Declan, but he missed a few big chances and that was really good from Martin. His first goal (and) he really needed that. You could tell by the way he celebrated that he was angry and had the desire to do it, so overall a really positive evening.”
Arsenal have had mixed results in recent weeks and came into this game having blown a 2-0 lead to a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend.
However, captain Odegaard says there is no doubt about the team’s mentality.
The Norwegian midfielder said: “Results always affect the mood a little bit, but I think it was good.”
“Everyone just wants to get better. Every time we lose points, everyone is even hungrier the next day and even more ready to get going again. I think that’s the mentality, always one more, always better and that’s good to see.”
Martin Ødegaard caps an excellent Arsenal performance with his third goal ©️
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
