Arsenal edge out Shakhtar Donetsk to claim home victory

Arsenal made it seven points from nine in the UEFA Champions League group stage, after defeating a spirited Shakhtar Donetsk side 1-0 at the Emirates.

The only goal of the game came in the 29th minute when Gabriel Martinelli cut inside onto his right foot and hit a low drive that rebounded off the post, off the helpless keeper Dmytro Riznyk and dribbled over the line.

Kai Havertz, looking to score in eight consecutive games and set a new record at the Emirates, almost doubled Arsenal’s lead just before the break, but the Donetsk defenders scrambled the ball away just as he was about to head home from a couple of yards out.

Mikel Arteta won’t be happy with his team’s second-half performance, which was disjointed for large parts, but his side were gifted the chance to double the lead when a VAR check saw the referee reverse his original decision and give a penalty for a soft handball.

But it was Riznyk in the headlines again as he blocked Leandro Trossard’s tame penalty with his legs.

Arsenal had to endure some nervy moments late on but secured the win and another clean sheet, and now sit in a healthy position in the group.

Arsenal have made a lot of headlines recently with their ill discipline and those three red cards in the Premier League.

Tonight, after a bright start, they faded badly in the second half and they looked very much like a team that has already played a lot of minutes with nine outfield players.

Arteta would have hoped that he could make the game safe early enough to bring some of his youthful bench on to the pitch. But the game was never comfortable enough for him to rest his big players.

He now goes into a big game against Liverpool at the weekend, hoping he can at least bring Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber back into the matchday squad.

The winger looked fresh and was the architect of the only goal of the game. It was his adventurous run and shot that rebounded off the Donetsk keeper and went in. Throughout the match he was at the centre of all Arsenal’s bright moments, either cutting in with shots or by drifting crosses into the far post that could have ended with goals for both Gabriel Jesus and Declan Rice.

Arsenal: Raya 7, White 5, Saliba 6, Gabriel 6, Calafiori 6, Rice 6, Partey 6, Jesus 6, Trossard 6, Martinelli 9, Havertz 7. Subs: Merino 6, Sterling 5, Lewis-Skelly 5, Jorginho n/a.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk 8, Konoplia 6, Bondar 6, Matviienko 6, Henrique 6, Kryskiv 6, Zubkov 6, Bondarenko 6, Sudakov 7, Eguinaldo 8, Sikan 6. Subs: Pedrinho 6, Kevin 5, Traore 5, Gomes n/a.

29’ – GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 SHAKHTAR DONETSK (OG. RIZNYK): Cruel for the visitors. Martinelli receives the ball wide from Rice and cuts into the box. He lets go with a low drive that hits the foot of the post and rebounds in off the keeper.

39’ – NEARLY A SECOND: A ball comes in at the far post and Gabriel Jesus steers it across the face of the goal towards Havertz, but it’s cleared just as the German thinks he can head it home.

77’ – MISSED PENALTY! Leandro Trossard has his penalty saved by Riznyk. He shoots down the middle and the keeper blocks with his leg.

90+2’ – NEARLY AN EQUALISER! Pedrinho takes aim from the edge of the box and Raya has to be at his very best to turn the ball round his left post for a corner. What an effort.