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Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings: Did any Gunners players emerge with any credit? And how did the dismissed Olivier Giroud fare?

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1

Thursday 17 September 2015 08:32 BST

Olivier Girouds is sent off (Getty Images)

Croatian title winners Dinamo Zagreb made a dream start to their Champions League campaign after a goal in each half gave them a 2-1 home win over 10-man Arsenal in their Group F match on Wednesday.

An Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal followed by a Junior Fernandes header put Dinamo in the driving seat before Theo Walcott pulled one back for the Premier League side, who had striker Olivier Giroud sent off in the first half.

Having failed to advance past the group stage of Europe's elite club competition in their previous four attempts, Dinamo produced a morale-boosting performance in the Maksimir stadium.

CLICK THROUGH THE ARSENAL RATINGS BELOW

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

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1/11Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Arsenal: David Ospina 5/10

Hardly culpable for either Zagreb goal, though you might have expected Petr Cech to hold on the initial effort for the first. Or at least not palm it back into the danger area.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Debuchy 6

Started the game desperate to prove he could do all Hector Bellerin can and more. Whilst he looked bright going forward he was dragged well out of position for Zagreb’s opener.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Gabriel 7

On more than one occasion he was called on to pull off spectacular clearances or interceptions just to keep Zagreb from adding to their advantage. He won plenty of aerial challenges and made one excellent sliding challenge.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Koscielny 5

Was late to the cross for Zagreb’s second to blot what had previously been a perfectly acceptable performance from the defender. But Arsenal’s defensive leader should not be making careless mistakes at such crucial moments.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Gibbs 5

Another who could have done much better for the second goal, he showed everything that has allowed Monreal to win the left-back spot, attacking intent coupled with defensive disorganisation.

Getty Images

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Cazorla 4

Dispossessed on no fewer than four occasions this was nowhere near good enough from Arsenal’s creative conductor, who was also caught out of position time and again.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Arteta 3

The Arsenal captain’s legs are gone, and it showed time and again at the Maksimir. When Zagreb countered the visitors’ defence found themselves with no cover and no chance.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Oxlade-Chamberlain 7

The only outfield player to end the game in credit, he never stopped running and stretching the play. If he had the lofty reputation of his colleagues he would never have been substituted.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Ozil 4

Showed everything that infuriates Arsenal fans when he is at his worst. Shrugged off the ball on more than one occasion and seemed to wander aimlessly as he slowed down play.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Sanchez 4

An assist is all well and good but even that showed his struggles in one of his worst games for Arsenal. His touch was heavy and too often he gave the ball away under little pressure.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Giroud 1

After missing a sitter he picked up two truly idiotic bookings to leave his colleagues in no-man’s land. Totally and utterly unacceptable from the striker as Arsenal looked to get back into the game.

Getty Images

Organised defending aided by a packed midfield frustrated a disjointed Arsenal and the home side always looked dangerous on the break, with Algeria striker El Hilal Arabi Soudani at the heart of all their moves.

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