Arsenal player ratings: Dominant Martinelli makes himself undroppable as anonymous Sterling blows big chance

DECLAN RICE’S first Champions League goal all but secured Arsenal’s place in last-16 of Europe’s finest.

Goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard rounded off a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagerb, but it was Gabriel Martinelli’s goal involvements that shone the brightest.

Declan Rice opened the scoring inside two minutes

Kai Havertz settled nerves half way through the second half

The Gunners moved up to third in the Uefa league standings but should’ve been out of sight after missing a flurry of chances.

Dinamo, who are level on points in the standings with Manchester City who lost 4-2 to PSG, didn’t reward their raucous away support with a single shot on target.

As such, Mikel Arteta’s men are set to finish in the top eight, although automatic qualification isn’t mathematically confirmed yet.

On a freezing cold evening in North London, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rates and slates each Arsenal performer.

David Raya – 6

A really poor clearance invited pressure from Dimino’s front three in the first-half. A heart in mouth moment for sure.

But rarely touched the ball from then on, with the Croatian away side not registering a single shot at the Spaniard in 90 minutes.

David Raya’s poor clearance left Arsenal fans gasping

Jurrien Timber – 5

Involved in early attacks and got back to block a dangerous Dinamo counter as things settled in the 12th minute.

But was caught sleeping after Luca Stojkovic won the ball off him on the edge of his box, before Jakub Kiwior’s handy interception.

Gabriel – 6

Missed a sitter to make it 2-0 after Odegaard put it on a sixpence from a corner.

Held off Stojkovic whenever he was called upon, although Dinamo offered nothing going forward.

Jakub Kiwior – 7

For all the scrutiny he’s faced, the Pole saved regular starter Timber from embarrassment and a sure Dinamo goal inside 33 minutes.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6

With teen Myles Lewis Skelly carrying a knock, the Ukrainian was forward thinking and whipped crosses into wasteful Havertz all evening.

Declan Rice – 8

Fired Arsenal ahead with a thunderous volley inside 105 seconds – his first-ever goal in the competition.

But his corner deliveries were affected by the deafening away end pelting plastic cups and lighters at his back.

Ran his heart out but fluffed a poor header, reminiscent of the same chance missed against Man Utd in the FA Cup defeat, to make it 3-0.

Rice was pelted with flying objects before taking corners in the first half

Jorginho – 6

Horror back pass almost cost his side the lead when he put Raya in trouble in the 32nd minute.

But worked hard to win the ball back and put Martinelli through for a blistering run.

Martin Odegaard – 7

Engine of the team. Dropped back into midfield to provide an outlet for Kiwior whenever he could.

A tap-in at the death saw him score his first goal since the 5-2 win over West Ham in November to make it 3-0.

Raheem Sterling – 4

A non event. The former England winger’s was weak in-front of goal yet again.

But some lovely Sterling-esque runs of old were a nice watch at times, if that’s all he had to offer.

Lucky to avoid a straight red after a nasty challenge on Maxime Bernauer’s ankle with his studs just seconds into the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli – 8

A last ditch tackle denied him what would have been a sensational solo goal from a 60-yard run that woke Arsenal from their slumber.

Was the main attacking threat and had a hand in both goals, first crossing into Havertz, who laid it on for Rice, before a glorious curling ball into the German for 2-0. Is he undroppable moving forward?

Gabriel Martinelli was the star of the show