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
Arteta added: “We created a lot of chances.” “Declan especially, but he missed some big chances, and Martin was really good. His first goal (and) he really needed that. You could see from the way he celebrated that he was feeling angry and wanting to do it, so overall it was a positive night.” truly.
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
