Mikel Arteta happy with Arsenal in ‘really strong position’ in Champions League
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A jubilant Mikel Arteta said Arsenal have put themselves in a really strong position to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 following their 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb. Declan Rice fired the Gunners ahead within two minutes at the Emirates Stadium before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard completed the victory in the second half.
The result took Arsenal back up to third in the 36-team table with the top eight assured of avoiding a two-legged knockout clash to reach the next phase. Arsenal are three points clear of Aston Villa, who currently occupy ninth, with a vastly superior goal difference.
It means the Gunners could even lose their final group fixture against Girona – who have suffered six defeats in their seven games so far – in Spain next week and still be assured of automatic progression. “I am very happy because this is a massive step, and it has put us in a really strong position before we play the last game in Girona,” said Arteta.
“We scored three goals, created a lot of chances, and dominated the game. We are in a really, really good position and a lot of things have to happen (against us) but we have to do our job in Girona and win the game.”. It was a morale-boosting victory for Arsenal, just days after their Premier League tilt suffered a dent when Villa came from two goals down to snatch a point here.
