Dinamo Zagreb’s victory over Arsenal ranks among the greatest in their recent history and the 2-1 win has sent Zoran Mamic’s side zooming up Uefa’s club rankings.
According to the governing body’s latest club rankings the Croatian champions, undefeated in their last 42 competitive games, are the most successful side in Europe, with 6.900 coefficient points.
An own-goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a header from Junior Fernandes gave Dinamo a first ever win over English opposition in the Champions League. Mamic praised his side’s physicality after the game, admitting that advice from West Ham boss Slaven Bilic had inspired the team.
“We surprised them,” he added. “I said before this is the best Dinamo outfit in the last 10 years and many raised their eyebrows but tonight's result and performance showed I was right.”
Victory puts Dinamo ahead of three Spanish sides, with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla all on 6.871. Chelsea were the only Premier League side to earn over six points.
Unsurprisingly England’s other representatives received far fewer points, all three of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United picked up just 4.650.
Arsene Wenger refused to blame the six changes he made for the defeat, maintaining that his team did not deserve to lose.
Arsene Wenger's worst European results
“We were a bit unlucky,” he told BT Sport. “We faced a Zagreb team who were committed. We gave it all until the end but unfortunately couldn't come back.”
Arsenal have a chance to rebuild their Champions League campaign when they host Olympiakos in a fortnight’s time.
