Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Shakhtar Starting XI: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique, Bondarenko, Zubkov, Kryskiv, Sudakov, Sikan, Eguinaldo.

Match officials:

Referee:Benoit Bastien

Assistants :Hisham Zarkani, Aurelien Berthomieu. 

VAR : Benoit Millot.

Champions league

Emirates Stadium

Tuesday 22nd October 2024

KO: 20:00(UK)

We return tonight in the Champions League as we look to face Shakhtar Donetsk. After a disappointing result on Sunday against Bournemouth Arteta will be looking to bounce back.

Saliba is still eligible to play in tonight’s game however, is still suspended for the next game meaning he’ll miss Liverpool.

We are still missing the likes of Odegaard, Saka and Timber which have put us under the cosh for the game on the weekend but hopefully our squad can get a result tonight and build some confidence.

Shakhtar kicked us off and we managed to carve out our first chance as Martinelli broke away winning a corner. Rice swung in and the keeper managed to half-clear as the ball fell to Trossard who got past the defender with some nice skill however, his cross came to nothing. For the next couple of minutes, we held possession. 

Another chance then came as Havertz won us a corner. This time Trossard took but his cross was cleared for another corner. He put the ball in again as the ball fell to Calafiori who blazed over from close range. The next few minutes were quite cagey as we were not able to create any opportunities. 

Shakhtar then had their first chance as Egunaldo’s strike was blocked by Gabriel as the ball went out from the corner. Shakhtar played the corner short and crossed but we were able to clear. We then got a chance as Rice intercepted Riznyk’s pass and headed to Havertz who knocked over to Trossard however, he fired wide. 

Rice then had a shot from far which rolled past Riznyk’s post.  Another chance came again as Havertz held the ball up and laid it off to Martinelli who took the ball to the byline and crossed into Trossard who poked wide. Another tame effort came as Calafiori struck straight into Riznyk’s arms. 

We then broke the deadlock as Martinelli cut in and fired his effort against the post as it rebounded back off the keeper and in. Martinelli broke away again and tried to squeeze the ball through to Trossard however, his ball was cut out. 

Ben White was then shown a yellow card for pulling back Egunaldo. Shaktar then had a half-chance as Zubkov put the ball straight in Raya’s hands. We nearly got our second of the night as Martinelli swung the ball to the back post towards Jesus who headed back towards Havertz who was just beaten to the ball by Matviienko. 

Jesus was then denied as Havertz played him through as his effort was saved by the feet of Riznyk. Shakhtar then went up the other end as Egunaldo fired wide. Jesus was denied again as he cut back and fired his attempt at a  

Shakhtar body. The referee then blew the half time whistle.

Half time views: 

A very dominant first half, without any opposition threat. Arteta will want his players to be more clinical as we’ve had quite a few chances.

I would like to see Nwaneri come on soon to give us a bit of a spark and more composure in and around the final third.

Going into the second half, Merino replaced White. We nearly got our second goal early in the second half, with Martinelli whipping the ball across the box to Trossard who couldn’t get enough on his header to direct it towards goal. 

We continued to keep pressing as Martinelli forced the Shakhtar goalie to clear out for an Arsenal throw. Martinelli then had an effort saved and out for a corner as Havertz played the ball across the box. Rice put the corner in however, Riznyk claimed easily. 

A minute later, Trossard then advanced through the final third and unleashed an effort from outside the box which went just past the post. Shakhtar then had their own effort in the box as Egunaldo’s shot was blocked by Gabriel and safely into Raya’s gloves. Shaktar then enjoyed a spell of possession for a few minutes before we regained control. 

However, we began to let Shakhtar into the game as we allowed them to have more space and time on the ball before they made their first changes of the night with Kevin replacing Sikan and Pedrinho replacing Zubkov. We then made our second change of the night with Sterling replacing Jesus. Calafiori also went down however, was able to continue. Although, a minute later Calafiori had to come off being replaced by Lewis-Skelly. 

For the majority of the next few minutes we held the ball and were able to win a corner as Martinelli’s cross was cleared. However, VAR had checked for a handball during the clearance and the referee went to the monitor. The referee re entered the pitch and gave a penalty. Trossard stepped up to take and his penalty was saved by the Shakhtar goalkeeper. Shaktar then had their own attempts with their efforts striking the Arsenal defenders. Martinelli was then booked for a flailing arm striking Konoplya. 

A few moments later Trossard was replaced by Jorginho. We then won a corner as the ball was hit to the far post towards Martinelli who couldn’t connect as the ball came back out to him where he crossed in to Rice who was unable to bring the ball down. 

6 minutes were added and Shaktar had another chance as Pedrinho forced Raya into a save. Shakhtar came again as a looping ball into the box was nearly headed in but Raya stood strong and claimed. As the game came to a close Henrique flew in on Havertz receiving a yellow card and a freekick for us near the corner. We took it and then the referee blew the full time whistle.

Full time views: 

A very unconvincing win and strange performance. It seemed as in the latter stages of the game we allowed Shakhtar to get back into the game.

However, a win is a win and that’s 7 points from three Champions League games. Arteta will be disappointed and will want our attackers to be more clinical infront of goal.

Anyhow, onwards and upwards as we look to face Liverpool on Sunday.

COYG

Hudson 

Loads of different personalised Arsenal shin pads available! #AFC #BOUARShttps://t.co/K0MAsBNJ1R pic.twitter.com/1EITAj157h

— Kick Off Merchants (@KOMerchants) October 19, 2024