Arsenal survive late Shakhtar Donetsk scare but injury blights win - 5 talking points
ARSENAL 1-0 SHAKHTAR DONETSK: An own goal from Dmytro Riznyk proved to be the difference as the Gunners picked up another hard-fought win in the new-look Champions League
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorArsenal made it back-to-back wins in the Champions League as they laboured to a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mikel Arteta's men were given a slice of luck midway through the first half when Gabriel Martinelli's shot cannoned off the post and hit visiting goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk on the back before trickling in. The Gunners would've enjoyed a much more comfortable final quarter of an hour had Leandro Trossard scored his penalty, but Riznyk denied the Arsenal forward from the spot.
That was after defender Riccardo Calafiori had gone off injured, a worry for Arteta ahead of Sunday's mouth-watering clash with Liverpool, who the Gunners trail by four points after losing to Bournemouth on Saturday. David Raya proved to be the hero late on, pulling off one superb save and making a string of interventions to send Shakhtar home with nothing after a valiant performance in front of an emotional away end.
Here are five talking points from the Emirates.
1. Jesus handed the armband
With Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both still sidelined, the captaincy was up for grabs in the Arsenal dressing room. Gabriel Magalhaes had been given the responsibility at Bournemouth but Arteta decided to make a change for Shakhtar's visit.
Returning to the starting line-up, Gabriel Jesus was handed the armband in a show of faith from his boss. The decision puzzled some supporters but it showed evidence that Arteta still has huge faith in his No.9, despite him no longer being part of his preferred attacking setup.
2. Martinelli's slice of luck
It was, to no one's surprise, all Arsenal in the opening exchanges, as the Gunners came quickly out of the blocks. Calafiori missed a sitter from their first corner of the game inside six minutes and it was a warning sign for Shakhtar.
Only one of Arsenal's five attempts on goal inside the opening half an hour was on target but the Gunners didn't need to be accurate to take the lead. Martinelli was afforded space on the left after a smart run from Calafiori took away a defender, and the Brazilian's right-footed shot rattled the post before hitting the unfortunate Riznyk.
Arsenal were ahead rather fortuitously but couldn't believe how it wasn't 2-0 just before half-time. Heroic goal-line defending from Mykola Matviyenko denied Kai Havertz after Riznyk found himself in no man's lend.
3. Calafiori concern
With Ben White having been brought at half-time for reasons yet to emerge, Arteta was forced to sub another defender when left-back Calafiori went down in the 67th minute. The Italian attempted to carry on after some treatment but within minutes he was down again, having slipped on the wet turf and gone down wincing, seemingly feeling his knee.
In a damning indictment of Jakub Kiwior's standing under Arteta after his nightmare on Saturday, Myles Lewis-Skelly was chosen to come on at left-back, hoping to stabilise what'd so far been a sloppy second-half performance from the Gunners. Calafiori leaves Arsenal lacking fit defenders, with centre-back William Saliba suspended for the Liverpool's visit to the Emirates.
Get involved! How should Arsenal line up against Liverpool? Tell us your starting XI in the comments section.
4. Trossard fluffs his lines after VAR gift
One entertaining thing about VAR is that sometimes it throws up decisions you didn't even know where on the cards. After a cross from substitute Mikel Merino from the left, Shakhtar defender Valeriy Bondar used his arm to block the ball.
Most fans inside the Emirates didn't notice the incident and were waiting for the upcoming corner. But soon enough referee Benoit Bastien was notified of the handball and quickly made a decision once he was sent to the pitch-side monitor.
Leandro Trossard stepped up and with a chance to seal the game... Hit the legs of Riznyk. Alan Shearer commented that the whole incident summed up the second half for Arsenal and it was hard to disagree.
5. Raya to the rescue
After Trossard's miss, Shakhtar got their tails up and put pressure on Arsenal's untested rearguard. Gunners goalkeeper Raya had to spring into action, having had a quiet night up until the closing stages.
Raya made an excellent diving save in injury time to prevent a equaliser from Pedrinho before having to come to Arsenal's rescue again in a goalmouth scramble. Jorginho's introduction also helped the Gunners weather the storm, seeing out a nervy victory to get back to winning ways. The team from Ukraine, though, did themselves and their war-torn nation proud.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.