Martin Odegaard was picked out by Mikel Arteta after scoring in Arsenal's impressive 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The Gunners have one foot in the Champions League knockout stages after victory over Zagreb thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Odegaard, who scored in second-half stoppage time.
Arsenal know they will suffer a heavy Last 16 defeat to Girona in their final group match next week. And it was a night to remember for Odegaard, who scored only his second goal of the season.
Odegaard's season was disrupted by an ankle injury, but he will play an influential role as the Gunners look to chase Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
And Arteta felt Odegaard's 'angry' celebration after that goal was telling, saying after the match: “Yes, I'm happy. We generated quite a bit. [of chances]. Declan [Rice] especially, but he missed some big chances, and very well from Martin [Odegaard].
“His first goal [and] he really needed that. You could tell by the way he celebrated it that he had a rage and a desire to do it, so overall a very positive evening.”
Odegaard missed Arsenal's first three games in Europe this season due to the ankle injury he suffered while on international duty with Norway in September.
The Gunners will hope his goal in Zagreb is a sign of him returning to his best form after a sensational 2023/24 season in which he scored 22 goals in all competitions.
Although Arsenal have made a slow start in the new-look Champions League, they sit third in the standings behind Liverpool and Barcelona, the only two teams guaranteed a last-16 spot for the final round of group matches next week. And the result will also give them a boost ahead of their next home match this weekend, as they chase Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Reflecting on a job well done, Arteta added: “I'm very happy to win again at home and get a clean sheet, four in a row in the league. It's a huge step.
“We are very close to achieving the goal we had before the group stage started.”
Comments