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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')

Player Ratings: Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 Arsenal

Sports Mole rates the best and worst players from the Champions League match between Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal.

Arsenal slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in their opening Champions League group stage match.

The Gunners fell behind when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turned the ball into his own net after Josip Pivaric's shot was saved by David Ospina.

Olivier Giroud was then sent off for picking up a second booking, before Junior Fernandes headed in from a corner to double Zagreb's lead.

Theo Walcott pulled a goal back when he raced on to Alexis Sanchez's through-ball and slotted in, but the Gunners were unable to find an equaliser as their European campaign began on a losing note.

Here, Sports Mole rates the best and worst performances from the Stadion Maksimir.


Eduardo of Dinamo Zagreb celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal at Maksimir Stadium on September 16, 2015© Getty Images

DINAMO ZAGREB

Goal

Eduardo: Fine display from the Portuguese keeper, who denied Giroud with two outstanding stops in the first half, before crucially saving from Ozil after the break. (8/10)

Defence

Ivo Pinto: Was caught out by Walcott for Arsenal's goal, but was generally solid throughout and was rarely beaten down his flank. (6/10)

Leonardo Sigali: Solid performance from the centre-back who dealt with everything that came his way and was strong in the challenge. (7/10)

Jeremy Taravel: Reliable display from the Frenchman who made a number of fine tackles on Giroud in the first half. (7/10)

Josip Pivaric: Made a fantastic run for the opening goal and saw his effort saved by Ospina, before the rebound deflected into the net off Oxlade-Chamberlin. (8/10)

Midfield

Domagoj Antolic: Put in a huge amount of effort throughout the evening and took responsibility as the captain. (7/10)

Paulo Machado: Did not always make the right decision on the ball, but set up the second goal with a well-taken corner that was headed in by Fernandes. (6/10)

Arijan Ademi: Used possession wisely during the evening and made some vital interceptions. (710)

Attack

El Arabi Hilal Soudani: Played a part in the opening goal and looked threatening on the break, but was largely kept quiet. (6/10)

Junior Fernandes: Caused Debuchy a number of problems with his pace down the flanks and grabbed his team's second goal with a fine header. (7/10)

Marko Pajac: Led the line well for Dinamo throughout the evening and constantly put the Arsenal defence under pressure. (8/10)

Substitutes

Ante Coric: Showed some neat touches when he came on and almost grabbed a third late on. (7/10)

Marko Rog: Slotted into the midfield and helped his team to see out the match. (6/10)

Filip Benkovic: Had little chance to make an impact after coming on for the last two minutes. (6/10)


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

ARSENAL

Goal

David Ospina: Was unlucky with the opening goal and could have done little about the second, but looked nervous all evening and was indecisive when coming off his line. (5/10)

Defence

Mathieu Debuchy: Was at fault for the opening goal as he allowed Pivaric to get in behind, while he struggled to support his teammates going forward. (4/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Out-jumped by Fernandes for Dinamo's second goal of the match and lacked his usual composure on the ball. (5/10)

Gabriel Paulista: Fared slightly better than his defensive colleagues and did make some important interceptions during the evening. (6/10)

Kieran Gibbs: Was rarely troubled down his side of the pitch, but did not offer too much threat going forward. (6/10)

Midfield

Mikel Arteta: Struggled on his first start of the season. Although he rarely gave the ball away, he was caught out of position and was overrun in the midfield. (5/10)

Santi Cazorla: Neat on the ball and helped his team to keep possession for large spells, but created little in the way of chances for Arsenal's forwards. (6/10)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Did not spot the run of Pivaric for the opening goal as he inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. (5/10)

Mesut Ozil: Had a great chance to score for Arsenal at the start of the second half, but scuffed an effort straight at the keeper, and was otherwise quiet and wasteful in possession. (5/10)

Alexis Sanchez: Tried his best to spark the Gunners into life and set up Walcott's goal with a fine through-ball. (6/10)

Attack

Olivier Giroud: Started the game well and had two early chances to score, but let his team down by getting sent off just before half time. His first booking was for arguing with the referee, before he saw red for a late tackle. (3/10)

Substitutes

Theo Walcott: Gave the Gunners hope of a late comeback with a well-taken goal and looked lively during his time on the pitch. (7/10)

Francis Coquelin: Shored up the midfield following his introduction and put in some strong tackles. (7/10)

Joel Campbell: Struggled to make an impact on the match and picked up a late booking for a foul on Pjaca. (6/10)


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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
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