Arsenal played with Dinamo Zagreb in the 7th round of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Arsenal couldn’t have hoped for a better start at home to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, as Declan Rice put the Gunners ahead after just two minutes.
Rice hit a ball as sweetly as you like on the half-volley, elegantly striking the ball past Zagreb stopper Ivan Nevistić.
This marks Arsenal’s earliest goal in the Champions League since November 2014, when Yaya Sanogo scored against Borussia Dortmund, in the 3rd minute.
ARSENAL VS DINAMO ZAGREB
LIGA CHAMPION
DECLAN RICE
1:45
What a goal…😱 pic.twitter.com/cJmxfR8kpu— MASBUNG (@xxxaryadi) January 22, 2025
Moreover, this is Declan Rice’s debut goal in the most prestigious club tournament.
Declan Rice is all smiles after scoring his first ever Champions League goal ✨ pic.twitter.com/7YMMoyT5SJ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 22, 2025
Arsenal have won five of their seven league phase matches, losing just once, and are almost certain to finish in the top eight, which secures automatic qualification for the last 16.
Read: Kyle Walker deal finally in place!
The north Londoners, who have never won the Champions League, travel to Girona for their last match in the league phase next week knowing a point will guarantee a top-eight berth.
After six group stage matches in the Champions League, Arsenal has accumulated 13 points.
This was a much-needed victory for Arsenal after last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, in which the Gunners blew a two-goal lead to dent their Premier League title hopes.
They rose to the challenge as Arteta’s decision to play Jakub Kiwior in central defence in the absence of the injured William Saliba was rewarded.
Jakub Kiwior completed all 55 of his passes yesterday – the only Arsenal players on record (since 2003-04) with more passes in a UEFA Champions League match while maintaining a 100% accuracy are Nacho Monreal (68 v Anderlecht in November 2014) and Laurent Koscielny (65 v Borussia Dortmund in October 2013).
Since the start of last season, no team has won more home games (8) or kept more home clean sheets (8) in the Champions League than Arsenal.
After five straight home matches, Arsnal head to Wolves on Saturday for Premier League action, before they pack our bags for Spain and our final group against Girona on Wednesday, January 29. They are then back in league action on Sunday, Febraury 2 when Manchester City are the next visitors to Emirates Stadium.
