Arsenal kept their Champions League hopes alive by beating Olympiacos 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners, needing a win to avoid crashing out of the competition, had Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to thank for taking a two-goal lead into the break.
Alexis struck once more in the second half to make certain of the points, meaning that Arsenal must now beat Olympiacos in two weeks' time to book their place in the knockout stages.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
6.45pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League meeting between Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium. This really is a massive game in the context of things, as a draw or defeat for the Gunners this evening will see them crash out of this competition at the group stage for the first time since 1999-00.
6.47pmIt is a similar case for Zagreb, too, who know that anything less than a win will see their own hopes of progression come to an end in North London. To add another element into the mix, the Group F fixture between Bayern Munich and Olympiacos could also have a big say in things, with a draw in that one enough to see both the Gunners and Zagreb exit Europe's showpiece event at this early stage.
6.48pmPlenty of drama can be expected over the next few hours, then, but before looking at this fixture in a little more detail, let's first check out some team news which has just been released at the Emirates Stadium.
6.50pmARSENAL TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Flamini, Cazorla, Campbell, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
SUBS: Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Chambers, Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide
6.52pmArsenal's growing injury list has been well documented in the days leading up to this evening's match, with as many as eight first-team squad members currently on the sideline. One of the players who returned to training this week following a six-week layoff, Aaron Ramsey, was expected to be involved in some way - he is among the subs this evening.
6.54pmIt is perhaps the loss of Francis Coquelin for the remainder of the year which has provided Arsene Wenger with the biggest blow of the lot. Mathieu Flamini takes up a central defensive role in his compatriot's absence, sitting alongside Santi Cazorla in front of a back four that remains unchanged from last time out.
6.56pmThe second change made by Wenger comes in attacking position, as Joel Campbell is preferred to Keiran Gibbs out wide on the left. The Costa Rica international has been badly exposed at times this season, particularly against Bayern Munich a few weeks ago, but he is given a chance to run at Zagreb's full-backs this evening.
6.58pmSo just the two changes home changes following the disappointing 2-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, then, which is largely down to the mounting injury issues. You just need to glance at the bench to see the struggles facing Wenger, who only has Aaron Ramsey and the vastly inexperienced Jeff Reine-Adelaide to call upon in a true attacking sense.
7.00pmIt also means that Olivier Giroud will retain his place up top, perhaps unsurprisingly in the absence of another true attacking forward in the shape of Theo Walcott. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil provide support from slightly deeper positions, meanwhile, with the latter looking to add to his run of an assist in each of his last seven outings.
7.02pmDINAMO ZAGREB TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Eduardo, Pinto, Sigali Matel, Taravel, Antolic, Machado, Santos, Rog, Fernandes, Pjaca
SUBS: Mikulic, Musa, Sovsic, Pavicic, Coric, Soudani, Henriquez
7.04pmDinamo travel to North London without Arijan Ademi, of course, following the four-year ban passed down to him by UEFA. The defensive midfielder failed a drugs test in the aftermath of Zagreb's victory over the Gunners in September, which has pretty much dominated all the pre-match talk heading into this one. A little more on that later when we check out the thoughts of both managers.
7.06pmThe visitors are also without Josip Pivaric this evening, who is also banned - albeit by a far smaller margin than his teammate's four-year suspension! Gordon Schuldenfeld is another one of the absentees, meanwhile, as he continues to nurse a thigh injury. Some better news for Zoran Mamic, though, thanks to the return of Domagoj Antolic in midfield.
7.08pmMathieu Flamini is brought into Arsenal's starting lineup this evening as one of two changes from the defeat to West Brom
© Getty Images
7.10pmThis is a must-win game for Arsenal, then, having been made to play catch-up since matchday one in the competition. Defeat to tonight's opponents in their opening fixture set the tone, but it was the 3-2 reverse at home to Olympiacos which really set alarm bells ringing. Since then the Gunners have faced a double-header against Bayern Munich, which provided mixed results shall we say.
7.12pmA 2-0 win over the Bavarian giants on home soil last month provided Arsenal supporters with another famous European night, but they knew that was only half the task. The Gunners also badly needed to pick up at least a point on their trip to Germany in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, yet they instead slipped to their joint-heaviest defeat in the competition when falling 5-1 at the Allianz Arena.
7.14pmThat really was a shocker of a night for Arsenal, leaving their hopes of progression hanging by the slimmest of margins. Their task is quite simple: Beat Zagreb tonight and hope Bayern see off Olympiacos elsewhere in Group F, before then getting the job done in their final match when they travel to Athens. That really will be quite an occasion, but there is a long way to go before we reach that final-game shootout.
7.16pmWenger has to take his fair share of the blame, of course, having made a couple of questionable selection decisions in the four previous group-stage games. The most notable of the lot was bringing David Ospina in for Petr Cech in the 3-2 reverse against Olympiacos - a result which could very well prove to be the North London outfit's undoing when the dust finally settles next month.
7.18pmWe then come on to the decision not to bring in a single outfield player in the summer. When results are going well for Arsenal, much like they were up until November, then Wenger can justifiably stand by his decision. But when results start going downhill, it is difficult to feel any sympathy regarding the Gunners' current lack of back-up options.
7.20pmThere is a sense that the wheels may be beginning to fall off once more domestically, with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur - not the worst result, judging by Spurs' fine form - being followed up by that disappointing defeat at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Throw into the mix the 5-1 thrashing against Bayern, combined with a League Cup exit at Sheffield Wednesday, and you can see why supporters are starting to grow restless.
7.22pmDID YOU KNOW? No team has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Champions League fixtures this season than Arsenal (3), while no team has conceded more than Dinamo Zagreb (3) during the same time frame. This is a match that could very well go down to the wire, much like it did in the reverse meeting.
7.24pmWell Zagreb travel to the English capital still reeling from the loss of the aforementioned Arijan Ademi for his alleged doping offences. Arsene Wenger claimed in his pre-match press conference that cheats do in fact prosper; a thinly-veiled dig at UEFA for not punishing the Croatian champions.
7.26pmAdemi himself was handed a four-year UEFA ban, which Zagreb look likely to appeal, but for the Blues themselves it was just a slap on the wrist. Boss Zoran Mamic, rightly in my opinion, claimed that his side were the better team in the opening Group F fixture and would have come out on top regardless. The debate will no doubt rage on if Arsenal do in fact crash out, but it will be made all the more difficult should Zagreb edge through in their place.
7.28pmArijan Ademi was handed a four-year UEFA ban for alleged doping offences, which marred Zagreb's 2-1 win over Arsenal in Group F's opening set of fixtures in September
© Getty Images
7.30pmArsenal's path to the knockout stages may look bleak, but it is even tougher for their opponents. Dinamo must beat both the Gunners and Bayern Munich if they are to stand any chance of making it through; a task made all the more difficult when taking into account their shaky recent form in all competitions.
7.32pmHaving seen their whopping 45-match unbeaten run come to an end at the hands of Bayern recently - a streak stretching back a whole year - Zagreb have since lost five of their last 10 games. The Blues have also kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 which, combined with a record of no Champions League away win in 12, paints a somewhat bleak picture for tonight's visitors.
7.34pmThe good news is that Arsenal have not actually won back-to-back home games in the Champions League since 2012. That is a pretty incredible stat when taking into consideration that the Gunners are usually considered among the second band of favourites in this competition - below the likes of Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid - so they will have to put that right this evening.
7.36pmSticking with some of those key stats - Arsenal have conceded 10 goals so far in this year's competition, leaving them below only Maccabi Tel Aviv (13) in terms of goals shipped during the group stage thus far. Up the other end things do appear a little brighter, having scored in each of their European fixtures to date.
7.38pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! This will be the fourth European meeting between the two sides. Arsenal won the first two encounters, but Dinamo did of course pick up a 2-1 win earlier in this year's competition to set the tone for a rather dismal Champions League campaign for their opponents.
7.40pmKickoff at the Emirates Stadium is now just five minutes away, so let's check out some of the pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Arsene Wenger [on potentially playing Europa League football post-Christmas]: "We would take the competition seriously, but we are not out yet. I believe that this problem is exaggerated a little bit in England because we play Wednesday and Saturday, so it is the same as Thursday and Sunday."
Zoran Mamic [on Wenger's doping claims]: "Of course the result of first match was fair and doesn't need to be changed! Mr Wenger can wish what he wants but there are decision makers. Or maybe Mr Wenger thinks he should write the law and UEFA's statute?"
7.42pmBoth teams are now out on the field of play ahead of the 7.45pm kickoff. We have just been treated to a pre-match light show at the Emirates Stadium - can that help spur on the players? We will find out very soon.
7.44pmArsenal, who beat Bayern Munich 2-0 here in their last European outing, must look to put this stat right against Dinamo Zagreb this evening.
2 - Arsenal have not won consecutive Champions League games at the Emirates since 2012. Task.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 24, 20151 minKICKOFF! Dinamo Zagreb get us underway in North London. This is the first of a huge European double-header for the Gunners, who need six points from their final two games and a favour from elsewhere.
3 minZagreb start the game on top, winning themselves a corner kick that works its way straight through the box. The quicker Arsenal settle into their rhythm the better, you feel, with the Gunners ideally looking to make tonight's game as comfortable as possible.
5 minA second Dinamo corner of these opening stages also comes to very little. A more pressing concern for the Gunners as Alexis takes a clattering from Pinto out wide. The Chilean is limping around at the moment, but it doesn't appear to be anything too serious.
7 minAlexis looks to wriggle his way through only to come up against one too many visiting defenders. Campbell's cutback is then blasted over by Cazorla from around seven yards out. Half a chance for the Spaniard - really should have been hitting the target at the least.
9 minZagreb win themselves a third corner of the evening. Arsenal had that bright spell a few minutes ago, culminating in Cazorla's miss, but it has been an impressive start from the visitors. A rather flat atmosphere around the Emirates at the moment.
11 minUPDATE! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 OLYMPIACOS
Douglas Costa gives the Bavarian giants an early lead in Germany, so it is so far so good for both of these teams. Arsenal remain bottom of Group F, but a win will see them well and truly close the gap on the Greek side.
13 minArsenal's brightest attacking move so far sees Campbell slide in Alexis, who just couldn't quite work himself any space inside the area. The hosts had to settle for a corner in the end, which Zagreb dealt with very well. No major chances for the Gunners yet, but they are certainly finding their groove.
15 minThe Gunners have dominated possession so far, seeing just short of 70% of the ball so far. Dinamo won't be too concerned by that, with their biggest threat coming on the break. Arsenal just looking to up the ante a little now, knowing that a goal will certainly settle the nerves.
17 minUPDATE! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 OLYMPIACOS
A second goal for Bayern at the Allianz Arena, with that one as good as over with less than 20 minutes played. No real goal-mouth action here, however, with the first shot on target yet to arrive.
19 minThe home supporters are starting to get behind their side a little more now, urging each player forward. Arsenal certainly look sharp when on the ball, but Wenger may be a little worried about the lack of cutting edge in the final third so far.
21 minUPDATE! BAYERN MUNICH 3-0 OLYMPIACOS
Thomas Muller makes it three elsewhere on the continent, and already I'm beginning to regret these updates from elsewhere. A goal at the Emirates would be nice. A shot would be nice.
23 minGood play from Arsenal, this time coming down the left as a Monreal cross just about evades Giroud who was looking to meet the ball with an overhead kick. The Gunners switching the ball well, but still unable to break down their stubborn opponents.
25 minCazorla's whipped corner is punched away by Eduardo. More than a quarter of the way through the game now and we still haven't seen either keeper make a save. A couple of half-chances for the Gunners, the best of which fell to Cazorla just a few minutes in.
27 minArsenal's players line-up ahead of tonight's match. It has been a frustrating evening for the hosts so far, yet they are well on top with 27 minutes on the clock
© Getty Images
29 minGOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (MESUT OZIL)
30 minWell it has taken 30 minutes for the first attempt on target to arrive, but Arsenal will not care too much after finally making the breakthrough. Alexis swung the ball in from the left, with Ozil - just about the best player on the field so far - heading home from close range.
32 minAs things stand, Arsenal have clawed themselves to within three points of Olympiacos ahead of their key clash next month. They just need to carry on focusing on the task at hand by bagging themselves a second goal, having finally broken down their resilient opponents.
34 minGOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (ALEXIS SANCHEZ)
35 minArsenal pounce on a Dinamo error at the back to bag a second goal in quick succession. A loose pass was latched on to by Monreal, who burst forward and picked out Alexis in a central position to double the home side's advantage. As easy as you like.
37 minSo two shots on target and two goals for Arsenal. If it's efficiency you're after this evening then the Emirates Stadium is the place to be. Not been a great deal of action other than those Ozil and Alexis goals, though, as Zagreb look to change their shape.
39 minMesut Ozil has now been involved in 11 goals in his last nine Arsenal games. Alexis Sanchez, meanwhile, has been directly involved in 5 of the Gunners' 8 Champions League goals this term. Big players for big games.
41 minSAVE! So nearly a third for Arsenal, as Ozil slaloms his way past a couple of opposition defenders before seeing his attempt kept out by Eduardo when through on goal. The Gunners looking very comfortable as we approach half time.
43 minSAVE! A brilliant flowing move from Arsenal, which really should have ended with the third goal. It was Ozil vs. Eduardo once more, with the Zagreb keeper getting down to his right to push aside the German's close-range strike. That was another attack built down the Gunners' left.
45 minDinamo win their fifth corner of the evening, perhaps giving Arsenal a warning that this one is not completely over just yet. The hosts looking very comfortable at the moment, though.
45+1 minHALF TIME: ARSENAL 2-0 DINAMO ZAGREB
8.31pmSo the first part of Arsenal's Champions League redemption mission is very much on track at half time, then, as they hold a rather commanding 2-0 lead over Dinamo Zagreb. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich are leading Olympiacos 3-0 at the Allianz Arena - two results that will leave the Gunners' hopes alive and well heading into the final matchday.
8.34pmMesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez found the net within four minutes of each other, following what had been a somewhat bland opening half-hour to the contest. Arsenal bossed things in terms of the possession stats, but they did not have a single shot of any note to show for their efforts up until the breakthrough moment.
8.37pmThe first goal was all about some smart link-up play between the two goalscorers, as Alexis swung in a cross from Ozil to stoop and head home from close range. The second was all about the work of Monreal, who pounced on a loose pass deep in Zagreb's half and played in Arsenal's Chilean forward to make it 2-0 and surely game over.
8.40pmArsenal probably should have had another goal prior to the break, with Ozil twice being denied by fine Eduardo stops. As it is, a two-goal scoreline is pretty fair on the balance of things even if it did take the home side a while to truly click into gear. The pressure is now on Zagreb to come out of their shells in search of three second-half goals.
8.43pmBENCH WATCH!
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Chambers, Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide
DINAMO ZAGREB SUBS: Mikulic, Musa, Sovsic, Pavicic, Coric, Soudani, Henriquez
46 minKICKOFF! Arsenal get us back underway at the Emirates Stadium. No changes made by either manager at the break, so it is as you were.
© Getty Images
48 minSAVE! Cazorla denied his first Champions League goal for Arsenal by a diving Eduardo save. It was a fierce drive, but perhaps the visiting goalkeeper could have caught the attempt rather than theatrically pushing away. The Portuguese stopper is then called into action by Giroud from the resulting corner.
50 minCech has his first touch of the ball of this second half as he collects a ball into his path. The experienced keeper has not had a single stop to make this evening, while Arsenal's defenders have also been mere spectators across these opening 50 minutes.
52 minArsenal form a solid defensive shape to deny their opponents, who for the first time in this match have looked to get some bodies forward. A goal really will change the complexion of this match, as Fernandes sees his shot deflect to safety.
54 minIt will be interesting to see whether Arsene Wenger takes a few of his big-name players off as we approach the hour mark. The three points are not quite sealed yet, but maybe with the arrival of a third the likes of Ozil and Alexis will make way.
56 minThe Blue still unable to sustain any real pressure on their in-command opponents, with Arsenal looking the more likely to find the game's third goal. Giroud has just attempted one of his trademark front-post flicks with the outside of the boot, though he failed to make the desired contact.
58 minDINAMO ZAGREB SUB! Soudani comes on for Junior Fernandes in the game's first change. Moments after the alteration Zagreb enjoyed their best moment of the contest so far; Matel getting forward and seeing his attempt being deflected just a few inches wide of Cech's goal.
60 minAlexis gets his head to a corner, won after Bellerin charged the length of the pitch on the counter, but the Chilean could not direct his attempt goalwards. Bayern still lead Olympiacos 3-0, incidentally, so this is a very good night for the Gunners as things stand.
62 minSome intricate Arsenal play ends with Alexis looking to play in Giroud with a diagonal pass, but Zagreb's defence were wise to it and cleared away for a corner. Things have gone very quiet again since that Matel shot, which will suit Arsenal more than their opponents.
64 minCLOSE! Campbell is not too far away from adding a third Arsenal goal, taking on a Taravel knockdown on the volley. The angle was against him, and that told in the end as the ball flew a yards or so wide. Monreal has just picked up the game's first booking for his mistimed challenge.
66 minAnother strong Arsenal counter almost leads to a big opening in the centre, but Antolic got across well to clear the danger. Ramsey is about to be introduced for the home side, seemingly in place of Giroud.
68 minARSENAL SUB! Ramsey is introduced in place of Giroud for his first appearance in six weeks. The Welshman is such a big player for club and country these days, so supporters will be delighted to see him back out on the pitch.
69 minGOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (ALEXIS SANCHEZ)
70 minThat seals things for the Gunners at long last! It was what you would describe as a typical Arsenal goal, coming after a patient period of build-up play that culminated in Campbell superbly playing one through for Alexis to latch on to. The Chilean bent his run well and rounded the keeper with his first touch, before firing the ball home from the angle.
72 minSAVE! Zagreb have finally awoken! Rog wasn't a million miles away with his initial attempt, with his shot grazing the bar on its way over, before a deflected effort forced Petr Cech into action. A super save from the experienced keeper - his first of the evening.
74 minDINAMO ZAGREB SUB! Angelo Henriquez has now been brought on for Domagoj Antolic in a final roll of the dice from Zoran Mamic. Zagreb have looked better since going three goals behind than at any other stage of the game. Arsenal's clean sheet is under some threat at the moment.
76 minAlexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have pulled the strings all evening
3 - Alexis Sanchez has been involved in three goals in the same Champions League game for the first time. Busy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 24, 201577 minUPDATE! BAYERN MUNICH 4-0 OLYMPIACOS
It's been game over in Germany for quite some time now, but 10-man Bayern have added a fourth goal to their tally. Meanwhile, at the Emirates, Sanchez has just got down to ground but was denied what appeared to be a strong penalty shout.
79 minSAVE! This match has been extremely open ever since Arsenal added a third goal. Both teams have looked lively, with Soudani testing Cech just moments after that Alexis penalty shout up the other end. Eleven minutes left to play in North London.
81 minSoudani builds on that earlier miss by putting the ball in the back of the net, but the flag was already - correctly - raised on the far side. Zagreb desperate for a consolation goal in the final 10 minutes of this lively second half.
83 minARSENAL SUBS! Chambers and Debuchy are on in place of Cazorla and Bellerin. Wenger given the luxury of bringing on some squad players in the final stages of the match.
85 minDINAMO ZAGREB SUB! Young prospect Ante Coric comes on for Paulo Machado. The attendance has been announced as 58,978 at the Emirates, but there is closer to 50,000 here this evening.
87 minIt's also worth mentioning that Arsenal are now guaranteed a Europa League spot whatever happens in Greece next month in that crucial final-game decider. Zagreb, I'm afraid, will play no further part in European competition this term. Not a great deal happening on the field at the moment - this one has been over for a while now.
89 minCLOSE! Arsenal's two star men continue to link up even at this late stage, as Alexis scoops a ball over the top for Ozil to flick on in a rather unorthodox manner, missing the target by just a few inches.
90+1 minZagreb forced into a couple of long-range shots late on. Good noise coming from the away section now, where the travelling fans have simply seen their team outclassed over the 90 minutes.
90+2 minFULL TIME: ARSENAL 3-0 DINAMO ZAGREB
9.33pmJob done for Arsenal, who move up to third place in the Group F standings as a result of this 3-0 win. They are just three points behind Olympiacos now ahead of their key clash in Athens next month, which really is as big as they come.
9.35pmThe Gunners, needing a win to avoid crashing out of the competition, had Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to thank for taking a two-goal lead into the break. Alexis struck once more in the second half to make certain of the points, meaning that Arsenal must now beat Olympiacos in two weeks' time to book their place in the knockout stages.
9.37pmThat concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Emirates Stadium, but be sure to stick with us as we bring you a full match analysis, player ratings and reaction in due course.
