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Dinamo Zagreb
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-1

Pivaric (24'), Fernandes (58')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Walcott (79')

Half-Time Report: Olivier Giroud off as Arsenal trail at break

Olivier Giroud is sent off after an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal gives Dinamo Zagreb the lead over Arsenal in the Champions League Group F opener.

Ten-man Arsenal have gone into half time 1-0 down to Dinamo Zagreb in their first Champions League Group F match at Stadion Maksimir.

Arsenal took the game to the hosts immediately and were denied an early opener only by a superb save from home goalkeeper Eduardo, who somehow managed to keep Olivier Giroud from heading home Santi Cazorla's corner.

Marko Pjaca gave the Gunners a warning sign just two minutes later when he perhaps should have hit the target rather than firing wide as Dinamo looked to counter.

David Ospina of Arsenal looks back to see the ball hit the back of the net, an own goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal for Zagreb's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal at Maksimir Stadium on S© Getty Images

Giroud was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Jeremy Taravel before Eduardo produced an even better stop to keep out the Frenchman's rebound after the striker had headed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross against the post.

All of Arsenal's early dominance was in vain, however, when the Croatian champions took the lead on the break midway through the first half as El Arbi Hillel Soudani released Josip Pivaric, and the ball went in off the unfortunate Oxlade-Chamberlain after David Ospina had stopped Pivaric's initial effort.

Olivier Giroud of Arsenal is shown the red card by referee Ovidiu Hategan during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal at Maksimir Stadium on September 16, 2015© Getty Images

Arsene Wenger's side lacked cutting edge throughout the first period and things got worse for them just five minutes before the break as their main goal threat was removed when Giroud was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Ivo Pinto as a disastrous first half came to a close for Arsenal.

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Arsenal's players pose for a team picture ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal FC at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on September 16, 2015
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