Arsenal 1 - 0 FC Shakhtar Donetsk - Match Report

A first-half own goal from visiting goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk was enough to give us a narrow 1-0 home win, and maintain our unbeaten start to the league phase in the Champions League.

Martinelli created the only goal, it was his low shot that cannoned back off the post and in off the goalkeeper.

Riznyk was involved again in the second-half, saving a penalty from Leandro Trossard and we needed a full-stretch, flying save from David Raya in injury-time to secure the win.

Fast first five

Gabriel Jesus was one of two players – along with Martinelli – brought back into the side after our defeat at Bournemouth, and our captain for the night carved out our first chance. Starting on the right wing, Jesus dropped his shoulder to beat Yukhym Konoplia, sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard but it was intercepted ahead of the lurking Kai Havertz.

We won three corners in the opening five minutes, and the third of them really should have resulted in a goal. Trossard’s inswinger was only half cleared, to Riccardo Calafiori eight yards out, but he spooned his left-footed shot over the bar.

After a bright start though the game fell a bit flat. Shakhtar began to create chances of their own – pacey winger Eguinaldo had a shot blocked after escaping on the left flank to serve warning of the visitors’ capabilities.

Most of the play remained in their half though and Trossard had two half-chances in quick succession midway through the half. First Havertz teed him up inside the area, but the Belgian’s body shape was all wrong and he skewed his shot off target. Then Martinelli tiptoed towards the byline, found Trossard who had to improvise with a first-time shot that went wide.

Gabi’s slice of luck

On the half hour we took the lead, and although Martinelli was the instigator, it will go down as an own goal. Declan Rice passed to Martinelli in the box, who was fronted up by a couple of Shakhtar defenders. The Brazilian shifted the ball onto his right foot, got his shot away that hit the base of the post, rebounded off the grounded Riznyk’s back, and into the net.

It was unfortunate for the Shakhtar goalkeeper, but Martinelli deserved the goal for his composure in the area.

We twice came close to adding to our advantage before the break. Havertz bravely threw himself at a Jesus knock down two or three yards from goal, but brilliant defending from Mykola Matviyenko hooked the ball away from the German with the goal at his mercy.

Then quick passing from Trossard, to Havertz and finally to Jesus inside the area presented the latter with a sight of goal, but his low shot bound for the corner was saved by the outstretched leg of the goalkeeper.

Second-half changes

The first action of the second half was a header glanced just wide by Trossard and a low cross went all the way through to Martinelli who drew a save from the keeper as we went in search of the second.

Mikel Merino had been introduced at the break in place of Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori was also taken off holding his knee with 20 minutes remaining, replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly. Raheem Sterling was another of those brought on.

Trossard pays the penalty

In the final 20 minutes we were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, for a handball against Valeriy Bondar, who used his arm to block Merino’s cross from the left.

Trossard was the man who stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort was straight down the middle and kept out by Riznyk’s feet as he dived to his left.

It was the first penalty we’ve missed at home since December 2021, and the first we haven’t converted anywhere after scoring our last 11.

It could have been very costly. In injury-time Pedrinho fired goalwards from outside the area, forcing Raya into a flying save.

But we had done enough to secure the win, making it seven points from a possible nine to start the new-look League phase, putting us in fifth place, before Wednesday’s round of matches.

What’s next

We’re back at home on Sunday in the Premier League, when we take on Liverpool. Our next European fixture is away to Inter Milan on Matchday 4 – on Wednesday, November 6. That will make the halfway point of our Champions League, league phase, which concludes on Matchday 8 away to Girona on January 29.