Arsenal’s Champions League defeat brings an unwanted milestone for Arsene Wenger

Junior Fernandes doubled Dinamo Zagreb’s lead in the second half and Theo Walcott’s late strike was not enough to prevent the Croatian champions recording a first ever win over an English club.

Özil received a rating of 6.4 from whoscored. “We can put things right in the next five games… let’s see where we stand after six games”. The World Cup victor maintained a passing accuracy of 78%.

Giroud has struck two goals this season, against both Crystal Palace and Stoke City, but his red card last night comes on the back of the player himself being booed whilst away on French worldwide duty. “I think Wenger is hurting Arsenal by not giving him a sustained period playing up front”, Ferdinand was quoted as saying by BT Sport on Wednesday.

“They were committed, they defended well and sometimes I felt that they stopped us from gaining an advantage without being punished by the referee, especially on counter-attacks where we had to play 10 against 11 in one half”.

“We were not at our best, but nor was the referee.The first yellow is Giroud’s fault because he protested, even if it was not a foul against him”. “I believe the first goal is offside and after that, the sending-off is very harsh”.

An incisive Dinamo move in the 24th minute ended with full-back Josip Pivaric’s shot rebounding off Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina and into the net off retreating midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Giroud’s miserable half ended with his dismissal five minutes before the interval as he swung a leg at Ivo Pinto, the striker catching his man and earning a second booking having earlier seeing yellow for dissent following a clumsy challenge on Domagoj Antolic. We’re quite good at that. “We’ve still got a long Champions League run”, he said.

Champions League implosion against weaker sides is nothing new for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. Yesterday’s shock defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the opening fixture in group F was the surprise result of the round, and Wenger’s men will be disappointed to have started on the wrong foot. “We focus to win our next home game and I’m sure we can beat Zagreb at home“.

“After this we are ready for anything which might come, but are also aware of the strength of the group and can not fall into euphoria”.