Declan Rice just did something for the first time in 10 years for Arsenal – you won’t guess who did it last

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Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates to move even closer to confirming progression to the final 16 of the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta understood that his side had to beat Dinamo Zagreb after what has been a below par start to 2025.

Arsenal’s attack has been criticised in recent weeks although, the hosts finished two chances in style on match day seven of the Champions League.

Declan Rice opened the scoring before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard put their names on the scoresheet, rounding off a comfortable win at the Emirates. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League

Declan Rice matches Yaya Sanogo Champions League record for Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli impressed in Arsenal’s first goal however, attention mustn’t be taken away from Havertz’s assist and Rice’s finish.

The Englishman fired the ball beyond Ivan Nevistic before the Croatian could even realise, thundering a volley to put the hosts ahead.

It wasn’t only a significant goal for Arsenal but for Rice too, who netted his first ever Champions League goal.

The sumptuous finish also wrote itself into the history books, as the second-minute strike was Arsenal’s fastest Champions League goal since November 2014.

It’s been over 10 years since the Gunners last scored as quickly as two minutes into a Champions League fixture, with Yaya Sanogo being the last player to strike fast in the competition.

Sanogo, an almost infamous figure in N5, scored in two minutes against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates in 2014, with Rice following in the Frenchman’s footsteps.

Rice has been prompted to improve going forward, which he’s certainly doing at Arsenal, as his goal against Dinamo Zagreb was his 25th contribution in red and white.

What is Yaya Sanogo doing now?

While Rice’s rise at the Emirates is ongoing, it’s a different story for Sanogo, who is now far away from playing at Champions League level.

After leaving Arsenal permanently in 2017 to join Toulouse, the striker spent time in the Championship with Huddersfield Town before relocating to Armenia and then on to China.

Now playing in the second tier of Chinese football representing QD Red Lions, the 31-year-old has regrettably experienced quite the fall from grace since his Arsenal days.

That being said, Sanogo is still spoken about frequently, with his 10-year record now matched by Rice in the Champions League.