Arsenal star Declan Rice pelted by missiles before riot police forced to intervene
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Arsenal star Declan Rice was pelted with missiles by Dinamo Zagreb fans during the Champions League clash at the Emirates. The England international opened the scoring after less than two minutes with the Gunners looking to effectively secure their passage to the last eight of the competition. But following his goal, Rice was targeted by visited supporters as he attempted to take set pieces.
On the first occasion, in the tenth minute, Rice managed to avoid any of the missiles raining down from the away end as he swung in a corner for the home side. And then just before the half-hour mark he was again in the firing line, with one object clearly hitting the Gunner star.
And trouble flared again in the second half when shortly after Kai Havertz headed home Arsenal's second goal at least 30 police dressed in riot gear rushed into the away end and formed an additional line of segregation between home fans. Dinamo fans were also seen throwing missiles over the police and into the direction of home supporters.
Dinamo ultras had been banned from attending any European away games last season after a Greek teenager was stabbed to death before they faced AEK Athens in August 2023. In 2022 there was widespread condemnation, plus a fine, when some were seen making Nazi salutes before facing AC Milan at San Siro. But those reprimands have clearly done little to calm a boisterous group.
