Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb tonight as a “huge step” towards securing a place in the Champions League last 16.
The Gunners qualified after a routine win thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Arteta felt that the performance was mature on his part.
He told TNT Sports: “I am very happy to win again at home and get four clean sheets in a row in the competition. It is a huge step. We are very close to achieving the goal that we had before the group stage started.”
Rice scored with a wonderful finishing touch two minutes later after good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.
Declan Rice scores the first early goal for Arsenal 😮💨
Play forward clinical!
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
“We produced a lot [of chances]Arteta added. “Declan especially, but he missed some big chances, and Martin was really good. His first goal [and] He really needed this. You could see from the way he celebrated that he was feeling angry and wanting to do it, so overall it was a really positive night.
Arsenal have had mixed results in recent weeks and entered this match having squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the weekend.
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 drop points, everyone comes the next day hungrier and more ready to go again. I think that’s the mentality, there’s always another player, they always have to be better and that’s good to see.” .
Martin Odegaard caps Arsenal’s excellent performance with his third goal ©️
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025