Declan Rice put Arsenal on course for the last 16 by scoring their fastest Champions League goal since 2014.
Only an unlikely run of results next week, when Mikel Arteta's side play Girona, could see them drop out of the top eight and into the play-off places.
And Arteta, who saw Kai Havertz score the 500th goal of his time in charge before Martin Odegaard added a third goal, joked that he was “struggling” to get the hang of the permutations.
“A lot needs to be done [to drop out of the top eight] but we still have to go to Girona and do a good job,” Arteta said.
“Overall I am very happy. It's a huge step tonight, which puts us in a very strong position. We scored three, created a lot and didn't concede many shots.”
Arteta also praised Rice, who found the net after just 104 seconds, for a dynamic performance which he said is a sign that the midfielder is back on top form. Rice has been struggling with a nagging foot injury after starting the campaign still tired from last summer's European Championships.
“The good thing about Dec is that he is so consistent and reliable. He is always there,” Arteta added. “His intention, goal, especially attacking, how he drives this ball. Today he could have scored two goals.
“I'm very happy because we have to influence the game from those positions. He does that.”
Rice, meanwhile, said he hopes the win can help the Gunners build momentum as they look to close the gap on Liverpool in the Premier League.
“What I learned from last year is that at this time of the season you have to be there or around there and we're down to the minute,” Rice said.
“We have to keep winning games. It has been a tough month, but we remain positive.”
Rice was also pelted with a number of missiles from Dinamo fans as he lined up to take corner kicks as riot police were called in in the second half.
Comments