Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League clash predicted

Arsenal turn their attention to the Champions League later tonight as the Gunners look to return to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season.

William Saliba's first-half red card proved costly for Arsenal on the weekend, with Mikel Arteta's side losing 2-0 to Bournemouth in the Premier League. It was the Gunners' first defeat of the season in all competitions, leaving them four points behind leaders Liverpool who continued their winning form against Chelsea.

But, there's no time for Arteta's side to dwell, with Arsenal back in Champions League action tonight against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. The Gunners' last Champions League outing saw them beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0, and they will be hoping for another straightforward three points this time round.

Bukayo Saka was absent in the Bournemouth defeat through injury, though the winger is expected to be fit for tonight's clash at the Emirates. Saliba will also be available, with his red card only ruling him out of the upcoming Premier League game against Liverpool.

So, can Arsenal bounce back against Shakhtar later today? Let's take a look.

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Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk score predicted

To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.

We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Saka, Partey, Rice, Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard.

We predict that Shakhtar could line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Riznyk; Konoplia, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique; Stepanenko; Zubkov, Kryskiv, Sudakov, Eguinaldo; Sikan.

Arsenal kicked off the Champions League clash with an early goal, with Leandro Trossard in the right place at the right time to tap home Gabriel Martinelli's deflected cross just four minutes in. The Gunners looked very dangerous in the opening stages of the game, and after 14 minutes, they doubled their lead.

Ben White won back possession on the halfway line to kickstart an Arsenal counterattack, with the defender laying off the ball to Declan Rice before making a lung-bursting run down the right flank. Rice used Saka's run as a decoy before firing the ball into the path of White, and inside the box, the defender sent his shot past the 'keeper and into the far corner to make it 2-0.

Just before the break, Arsenal topped off a fantastic first half with a third goal of the evening, with Gabriel getting on the scoresheet as he headed home Saka's corner at the back post to make it 3-0. With a comfortable lead and Shakhtar failing to trouble the Gunners' backline, Arteta's side opted to sit back and control possession after the restart, with Arsenal seeing out a big three points in the Champions League.

EA FC 25 predicted final score: Arsenal 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk

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Prime Video is broadcasting one Champions League game every game week free for Amazon Prime members. Arsenal's upcoming fixtures include Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22, which is free for Prime members or those signing up for a 30-day free trial.

Every Champions League and Europa League game is also available on TNT Sports via Prime Video’s Discovery+ channel.

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