Declan Rice says he was ‘annoyed’ despite scoring his first ever Champions League goal in Arsenal ’s win over Dinamo Zagreb. The Gunners cruised to victory at the Emirates Stadium to put themselves in a great position to qualify for the last 16 stage and avoid two extra play-off fixtures next month.

Mikel Arteta sympathised with Martin Odegaard's after his frustrated celebration following his first goal since November in the Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his midfield stars after their 3-0 Champions League win against Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsenal all but secured a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

Arsenal are almost guaranteed a spot in the Champions League round of 16 and a bye from the play-offs but Mikel Arteta joked he was still struggling with the permutations

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

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard both scored on Wednesday and Arsenal do need an uplift in goals from that area of the pitch

They did not, though, and instead Arsenal cruised their way to a victory that should guarantee them a top-fight finish in this new Champions League format. Arsenal are currently third in the league phase and only a freak set of circumstances would see them fall out of the top eight after next week’s final game in Girona.