Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb this evening as a “massive step” towards securing a place in the Champions League last 16.
The Gunners are almost done after a routine victory thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
And Arteta felt it was a mature performance from him.
He told TNT Sports: “I’m very happy to win at home again and get a clean sheet, four in a row in the competition. This is a huge step. We are very close to achieving the goal we set for ourselves before the start of the group stage.
Rice got the ball rolling with a great finish after two minutes thanks to good work from Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz.
Declan Rice scores first goal for Arsenal 😮💨
Clinical play forward!
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
“We generated a lot [of chances]”, added Arteta. “Declan especially, but he missed a few big chances, and really good ones from Martin. His first goal [and] he really needed it. You could tell from the way he celebrated that he was angry and he wanted to do it, so overall it was a really positive night.
Arsenal have had mixed results in recent weeks and came into this match having blown a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the weekend.
Captain Odegaard, however, says there is no doubt about the team’s mentality.
The Norwegian midfielder said: “The results always influence the mood a bit but I think it was good.
“Everyone just wants to get better. Every time we lose points, everyone comes back the next day even hungrier and even more ready to go again. I think that’s the mentality, always one more, you always have to be better and that’s good to see.
Martin Ødegaard caps off an excellent Arsenal performance with his third goal ©️
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– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
