MIKEL ARTETA’S wannabe Samba boys have all but guaranteed themselves a Champions League knock-out spot – and maybe some winter sunshine next month.
Arsenal boss Arteta had his squad train with Brazilian music blaring through speakers on the side of their London Colney training pitches on Tuesday afternoon as a source of inspiration.
Yet this was not a night for thrills and spills – Declan Rice’s second-minute strike and Kai Havertz’s second half header lighting up a tame Emirates showcase against Fabio Cannavaro’s quality-lacking Dinamo Zagreb.
It was not pretty, but the Gunners are sitting that way with one game left in this new league phase, up into third on 16 points and with goal difference that makes a top eight finish very nearly a cert.
Next week’s trip to Girona provides little jeopardy, so Arsenal can plan for the last 16 in March.
By avoiding the February play-offs – on top of not being involved in the FA Cup fourth round that month too – Arteta is considering using the free days for a warm-weather winter break.
And from the looks of it, this Arsenal bunch are in dire need of recharging some batteries if they are to challenge for trophies domestically and in Europe.
With William Saliba’s hamstring troubles and defensive duo Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly missing training in the build-up, Arteta opted for four changes from the disappointing 2-2 draw with Aston Villa here last weekend.
Pole Jakub Kiwior filled in at centre back, while Oleksandr Zinchenko filled in at left-back – a bold choice considering he is linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund this month.
Regardless, this was a mighty test for new Zagreb boss Cannavaro – his first match in charge of the Croats after being appointed on December 29, with only a few friendlies under his belt.
The 2006 World Cup-winning Italian defender – nine years older than Arteta at 51 – is known for his safety-first, handbrake-firmly-on approach in management.
Those plans were blown out of the water inside the first two minutes as Gabriel Martinelli drove and crossed from out wide for Havertz and the German teed up Rice to volley in with anger.
Flashbacks of that club-record 9-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in their league phase opener in Munich back in September must have been an unwanted replay in the minds of the Zagreb players.
Rice continued to be in the thick of things.
The rowdy travelling fans had come up with a novel way of disrupting Arsenal’s corner routines – pelting the England midfielder with plastic cups before he could take one.
The visitors needed all the dirty tricks they could get, given their competition-high tally of seven goals conceded from set-pieces and up against one of the continent’s very best dead-ball specialists.
Zagreb unsurprisingly were struggling to get a sniff against a side yet to concede from open play in this Champions League campaign.
Arsenal were also comfortable with ball at feet, albeit wasteful.
While January transfer target Benjamin Sesko had netted earlier in the day for Red Bull Leipzig, Arteta’s current No.9 Havertz passed up several chances to shoot inside the box.
His defenders were making the Spanish coach wince too as Kiwior and Jurrien Timber took it in turns to fumble on the ball inside their own half.
Arsenal ratings vs Dinamo: Martinelli makes himself undroppable as Sterling blows big chance
By Katherine Walsh
David Raya – 6
A really poor clearance invited pressure from Dinamo’s front three in the first half. A heart in mouth moment for sure.
But rarely touched the ball from then on, with the Croatian side not registering a single shot at the Spaniard in 90 minutes.
Jurrien Timber – 5
Involved in early attacks and got back to block a dangerous Dinamo counter as things settled in the 12th minute.
But was caught sleeping after Luca Stojkovic won the ball off him on the edge of his box, before Jakub Kiwior’s handy interception.
Gabriel – 6
Missed a sitter to make it 2-0 after Odegaard put it on a sixpence from a corner.
Held off Stojkovic whenever he was called upon, although Dinamo offered little going forward.
Jakub Kiwior – 7
For all the scrutiny he’s faced, the Pole saved regular starter Timber from embarrassment and a sure Dinamo chance inside 33 minutes.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7
With teen Myles Lewis Skelly carrying a knock, the Ukrainian was forward thinking and whipped crosses into Havertz all evening.
Declan Rice – 8
Fired Arsenal ahead with a thunderous volley inside 105 seconds – his first-ever goal in the competition.
But his usual corner deliveries were affected by the deafening away end pelting plastic cups and lighters at his back.
Ran his heart out but fluffed a poor header, reminiscent of the same chance missed against Man Utd in the FA Cup defeat, to make it 3-0.
Jorginho – 6
Horror backpass almost cost his side the lead when he put Raya in trouble inside 30 minutes.
But worked hard to win the ball back and put Martinelli through for a blistering run.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Engine of the team. Dropped back into midfield to provide an outlet for Kiwior whenever he could.
A tap-in at the death saw him score his first goal since the 5-2 win over West Ham in November to make it 3-0.
Raheem Sterling – 4
A non-event. The former England winger was weak in front of goal yet again.
But some lovely Sterling-esque runs of old were a nice watch at times, if that’s all he had to offer.
Lucky to avoid a straight red after a nasty challenge on Maxime Bernauer’s ankle with his studs just seconds into the second half.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
A last-ditch tackle denied him what would have been a sensational solo goal from a 60-yard run that woke Arsenal from their slumber.
Was the main attacking threat and had a hand in both goals, first crossing into Havertz, who laid it on for Rice, before a glorious curling ball into the German for 2-0.
Has the Brazilian made himself undroppable moving forward?
Kai Havertz – 7
Brushed off recent criticism with a perfect lay-off for Rice to smash home and doubled Arsenal’s lead with a laid-on header in the 66th minute.
Was happy to score but was wasteful before finding the back of the net and often absent in box during first-half attacks.
Subs
Ethan Nwaneri (for Sterling, 57 mins) – 6
A loud applause welcomed the teen back from injury, but he didn’t have to do much against such weak opposition.
Thomas Partey (for Timber, 57 mins) – 6
Assured cameo in midfield.
Kieran Tierney (for Zinchenko, 73 mins) – 5
Calm on the ball after coming on.
Leandro Trossard (for Havertz) – 5
Made his 100th appearance for the club.
Having blown a 2-0 lead against Villa, Arteta would not let lightning strike twice.
After Timber and Raheem Sterling were booked within six minutes of the second half, they were both subbed off.
Zagreb were still hanging on, and then they were not.
Havertz rose highest to nod in Martinelli’s inviting 66th minute cross – Arsenal’s 500th goal under Arteta.
Goal number 501 came in stoppage time courtesy of tap-in from skipper Martin Odegaard.
Who needs a striker? Well, Arsenal do – desperately.
Crocked pair Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus must have watched this one wondering how many goals they could have gobbled up.
For now, with an eighth Champions League home clean sheet since the start of last season, Arteta’s defence are dragging them forward.
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