Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb tonight as a “massive step” towards securing a place in the Champions League round of 16.
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 from his side.
He told TNT Sports: “I’m very happy to win again at home and get a clean sheet, four in a row in the competition. It’s a massive step. We’re very close to achieving the goal we had before the group stage started.”
Rice got the ball rolling with a fine finish after two minutes following good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.
Declan Rice fires in an early opening goal for Arsenal 😮💨
Clinical forward play!
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
“We generated quite a lot [of chances],” Arteta added. “Declan especially, but he missed a few big chances, and really good from Martin. His first goal [and] he really needed that. 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 came into this game having squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the weekend.
Captain Odegaard says there is no doubting the squad’s mentality, though.
The Norway midfielder said: “Results always influence a little bit the mood but I think it’s been good.
“Everyone just wants to get better. Every time we drop points everyone comes in the next day even more hungry and even more ready to go again. I think that’s the mentality, always one more, always got to be better and that’s good to see.”
Martin Ødegaard crowns an excellent Arsenal performance with their third goal ©️
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
