3 takeaways from Arsenal's win over Dinamo Zagreb: Sanchez, Ozil run riot

Arsenal sustained its slim chances of advancing past the Champions League group stage following a decisive victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Propelled by the team's two most expensive assets, Arsenal ended Zagreb's tournament with a 3-0 triumph at the Emirates Stadium courtesy of Alexis Sanchez's brace and Mesut Ozil's second goal of the tournament.

Following a series of advances into the Dinamo end in the first half, the Gunners were finally rewarded for their inspiring play when the team's the two superstars combined to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead before the half-hour mark. In a reversal of roles, Ozil was the recipient of a perfect cross into the box and promptly converted his header into goal.

The match was virtually put out of reach less than five minutes later when a dreadful giveaway helped Arsenal double its lead. Nacho Monreal gathered the poor clearance attempt at the top of the Dinamo box before bursting towards goal and laying a pass off to Sanchez at the penalty area for the easy finish.

Sanchez was at it again when he capped off one of his most impressive performances of the season with a clever display of patience before bulging the back of the net in the 69th minute to secure the easy win.

Here are three takeaways from the one-sided contest at the Emirates:

Ozil, Sanchez make it look easy

It doesn't get much better for Arsenal than when Ozil and Sanchez put on the type of world-class performance the pair displayed in Tuesday's thrashing of Dinamo.

The days of critics lambasting Ozil for a perceived lack of effort are quickly becoming a thing of the past as the German midfielder continued his superb run of form with yet another example of skill to justify the hefty transfer fee Arsenal paid Real Madrid in 2013.

Ozil, famous for his elite vision and playmaking ability, was the first to bring the Emirates crowd to its feet when he got on the end of Sanchez's cross to open the scoring and ease the pressure on Arsenal.

Although a brace from Sanchez secured the valuable three points, the pair looked far from finished as they continued to press in search of extending Arsenal's advantage in what should be an encouraging sign ahead of the team's trip to Greece in search of a decisive victory against Olympiacos.

Joel Campbell deserves place in 1st team

Joel Campbell might be a couple of performances away from giving Arsene Wenger reason to contemplate his first-team selection when Arsenal overcomes its plethora of injuries.

His dominance up the right flank was an aspect Dinamo Zagreb defenders struggled to cope with in the first half, as Campbell's inventiveness and vision led to numerous chances in the final third.

Maintaining that display, however, will be an aspect of his game that needs improvement as the Costa Rican's impact was reduced in the second frame until he helped set-up Sanchez for the game's final goal.

Whether Campbell can supplant Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wing remains to be seen, as Tuesday's exhibit could provide an important reference point for Wenger when his injured wingers return.

Arsenal controls its own destiny

The first part of Arsenal's mission to keep its Champions League dreams alive is complete.

A win over its Croatian visitors was vital in maintaining a streak that's lasted throughout the 21st century as Arsenal's quest to qualify for the Round of 16 was also kept alive thanks to Bayern Munich's 4-0 win over Olympiacos.

Along with eliminating Dinamo, the victory also ensures that Arsenal won't have to rely on results abroad. If the Gunners can pull off a victory of two or more goals in Athens, or register a win duplicating the same 3-2 scoreline Olympiacos enjoyed in London in September, the north London side will return to the knockout stages for a 16th consecutive season.