UEFA Champions League

LONDON, Aug 23 (SW) - Last season's beaten finalists, Arsenal, are into the group stage of the Champions League after beating Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium, and 5-1 on aggregate.

Things didn't start out that brightly for Arsenal as Dinamo Zagreb took the lead on 12 minutes when striker Eduardo da Silva turned home the opener after Kolo Touré failed to clear a pass by Etto.

Arsenal then turned up the heat on the Croatians and nearly got level as Robin van Persie's rocket shot hit the leg of Mario Cvitanovic and then went off the crossbar, just barely staying out.

Dinamo nearly got another goal through Luka Modric before half-time, but Arsenal would then impose their will on the visitors after the restart.

In the 62nd minute, Arsenal finally broke through as Fredrik Ljungberg put his head to a van Persie cross, and the ball beat goalkeeper Ivan Turina to make it 1-1 on the night, ending any hopes of a dramatic comeback.

For good measure, Arsenal stole the victory on the night at the end as Theo Walcott's cross was turned home by Mathieu Flamini, and now the Gunners await their group stage fate in Friday's draw.