Arsenal have given themselves a chance of salvation - but Dinamo Zagreb’s performance was a reminder of what a dreadful failure it will be if Arsene Wenger’s men do not qualify for the Champions League last 16.
This was as one-sided as a game in Europe’s premier competition could ever be. Dinamo played like the minnows they are; cowered in front of their own goal for extended periods; physically and technically inferior; content to keep the scoreline merely respectable.
There should be no surprise in that. Dinamo have won one group stage match since 1999. What this match made even more inexplicable was how Arsenal possibly contrived to lose the reverse fixture on matchday one — a result which has put them on the back foot in this European campaign from the outset.
The Gunners here were everything they failed to be in Zagreb. Wenger had made six changes in the Croatian capital in September and, whatever his protestations to the contrary, grossly underestimated his opponents. It revealed an attitude that encouraged complacency from several fringe players already struggling for match sharpness.
There was none of that here. Olivier Giroud started the game, despite picking up an ankle knock in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at West Brom. Alexis Sanchez has needed a rest for some time, but the Chilean played the entire 90 minutes.
Santi Cazorla, who has exhibited similar fatigue, was only withdrawn eight minutes from time when, in truth, this match was settled long before.
Arsenal were made to wait 29 minutes to take the lead as they shook off a hangover from that loss at The Hawthorns, but even during this period it was attack versus defence.
Mesut Ozil and Sanchez — both excellent on the night — then scored twice in three minutes. With Bayern Munich already cruising against Olympiakos, any uncertainty quickly dissipated in the chilly north London air.
Sanchez added a third once he was switched up front, but Dinamo never threatened a revival, with Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech only called into two routine saves near the end.
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Wenger said: “What we wanted was to come out of this game with a chance to qualify. We needed to do the job and Bayern Munich needed to do the job — and they did that well. It gives us a chance, but how big the chance is, I don’t know. I believe we can do it.”
Arsenal deserve credit for keeping their hopes of qualification alive, but Dinamo’s obvious limitations left many reflecting on just how they have found themselves in such a fraught position.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb player ratings
One Dinamo player — midfielder Arijan Ademi — was banned for doping after failing a drugs test after they beat Arsenal in September. All 11 of them would have required a cocktail of illegal magnificence to have repeated the feat last night.
Arsenal must now beat another inferior team they have somehow already handed points to.
Olympiakos’ 4-0 thrashing in Munich was simultaneously a reminder of Bayern’s quality but also the Greek side’s lack of it. Pep Guardiola’s team were reduced to 10 men after 52 minutes and yet they actually extended their lead thereafter, through Kingsley Coman’s second-half strike.
Olympiakos needed a last-minute winner to beat this dreadful Dinamo side and perhaps the most fearful aspect awaiting Wenger and his team will be the intimidating atmosphere awaiting them at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens.
“You have to trust Uefa and organisations to do that well,” Wenger said about the hostility that will inevitably greet them in the Greek capital. “On the pitch the rules are respected and you never normally have a problem, so we have a chance on that front.”
One potentially significant positive to come out of this result was that Arsenal increased the permutations by which they can qualify. Matching Olympiakos’ 3-2 win will also be enough, in addition to any victory by a two-goal margin.
Arsenal’s gameplan will be clear. Wenger has already begun the mind games by suggesting their opponents could struggle to apply themselves correctly, knowing that a draw would be enough to knock out the Gunners.
“We just need to win,” he said. “It might not be enough, but what I mean is if we go ahead 1-0 then they will be in a situation where they could lose it and we will be a situation in which we can win it, so we have to go there to win. If you can win 1-0, you can win 2-0. The task is very clear.”
It will be an emotional night in two weeks’ time, whatever the outcome. Bayern were always likely to top this group, but it should not have come down to a late scramble like this for a team with the resources and the ambition to compete with Europe’s elite.
For the time being, Arsenal’s place in the Europa League is assured. But if they end up in that competition, it will be a terrible indictment on all involved.