Arsenal Cruise to 3-0 Win Over Dinamo Zagreb, Nearing Champions League Last 16

Arsenal all but secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at Emirates Stadium.

With only a heavy loss to Girona next week standing between them and a top-eight finish, the Gunners are set to bypass the play-off round and progress directly to the knockout stage.

The match began in perfect fashion for Arsenal as Gabriel Martinelli’s early cross was expertly redirected by Kai Havertz into Declan Rice’s path, and the England midfielder made no mistake, blasting the ball past Zagreb goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic in the second minute.

Havertz doubled the lead in the 66th minute with a header from a beautiful curling cross by Martinelli, marking Mikel Arteta’s 500th goal as manager. Martin Ødegaard sealed the victory late in the match, bundling in a third goal after a scramble in the box.

Zagreb struggled to make an impact, with captain Arijan Ademi’s long-range effort flying well over the bar being their only notable attempt on goal.

Arsenal could have added to their tally as Rice had a shot blocked after a clever pass from Ødegaard, and centre-back Gabriel headed just wide from a corner.

Arteta’s men got off to a fast start, just as he had hoped, with Rice’s early goal settling any nerves. It was Arsenal’s fastest goal in a Champions League game since Yaya Sanogo’s 72-second strike against Borussia Dortmund in 2014.

The Gunners’ defense remained solid throughout, with only Inter Milan conceding fewer goals than Arsenal’s two in the group stage so far.

The win also provided Arteta with positive news, as Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri made the bench after recovering from injuries, though Myles Lewis-Skelly was absent due to a minor knock.

Looking ahead, Arteta will be eager for his side to maintain their strong home form, having lost just once in their past 26 group-stage matches at the Emirates, as they prepare for the knockout rounds.