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Arsenal analysis: Junior Fernandes the star man in Zagreb as Olivier Giroud loses his cool in Champions League opener

Gunners get European campaign off to terrible start

Wednesday 16 September 2015 22:56 BST

Olivier Giroud is sent off (GETTY IMAGES)

STAR PLAYER

Junior Fernandes. The Chile forward was a handful for Arsenal's defence all night with his pace and positive mindset. Showed great strength to leap through a crowded six-yard box and power home a header for the crucial second goal.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Having earlier seen two good chances missed, Giroud lost his cool to collect a needless second yellow card and leave his team up against it chasing a match they should have already been in complete control of.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Dinamo manager Zoran Mamic had warned his side would not be sitting back against the Gunners, and despite riding their luck in the opening exchanges, the hosts grew in confidence to execute that positive game plan - helped in no small part by Arsenal's inefficiencies at both ends of the pitch. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, opted for half-a-dozen changes, aiming to freshen the starting XI up ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea. But on this evidence, he will have plenty more adjustments to make to find the right balance again.

Dinamo Zagreb 2 Arsenal 1 player ratings

Show all 11

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.

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MOAN OF THE MATCH

Olivier Giroud should have known better than to trip Pinto when already on a yellow card. Whether or not either caution was soft, in the Champions League you cannot afford to give the referee a decision to make.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Chelsea v Arsenal (Premier League, September 19)

Hajduk Split v Dinamo Zagreb (Prva Liga, September 19)

PA

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