Dinamo Zagreb’s players knew they could beat Arsenal in their Champions League opener on Wednesday because the Croatian side felt the Gunners “weren’t aliens” but made of “flesh and blood”, according to midfielder Domagoj Antolic. What is important is we focus on our game.
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The Gunners’s plans for a revival were thrown into chaos six minutes before the half-time as Giroud, who had already been booked for dissent, received his marching orders following a late challenge on defender Ivo Pinto.
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott admits he is delighted with his form this season so far and hopes to carry on his recent exploits in front of goal, as per the club’s official website.
“The first yellow card was Giroud’s fault because he protested, even if there was no foul against him“. It was accidental completely, but it happened. “I don’t understand why they publish that story because I have always been happy at the club”, he added.
Keane believes Giroud’s dismissal for a second bookable offence was a costly error from the referee but he maintains Dinamo’s second goal could have been prevented.
In other games, Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea ran away 4-0 winners against Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv, while defending champions Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw in Rome by AS Roma.
“We were a bit unlucky”, Wenger said.
“I think on the first yellow card, he’s unlucky, because it’s a foul for us, and on the second it’s an accident – he didn’t foul the player on objective “.
In team news, Per Mertesacker, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck are all out of tonight’s big European game. “We have had problems in the league and tonight in the Champions League but we can put that right in the next five games”.
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“I believe the first goal is offside and after the sending off is very harsh”, added Wenger. Dinamo stopped us [unfairly] in situations without being punished – counter-attacks where we had to play 10 against 11 in one half, very strong situations. We faced a Zagreb team who were committed, and got a lot of advantages.
