Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk Report

Scorer: Riznyk (OG) 29’

Arsenal overcame a determined Shakhtar Donetsk side to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten home record in the UEFA Champions League group stage to 10 matches (W9, D1).

A first-half goal from Gabriel Martinelli, albeit with some fortune, proved enough to see Mikel Arteta’s side through in a closely contested encounter.

First Half: Arsenal Dominate, Martinelli Breaks the Deadlock

After a disappointing weekend defeat at Bournemouth, Arsenal were eager to respond positively in Europe. The Gunners started brightly, with Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard both missing early chances.

Arsenal’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute when Gabriel Martinelli’s low shot rebounded off the post and ricocheted into the net via an unfortunate touch from Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.

Arsenal continued to threaten, and only a brilliant piece of defending from Mykola Matviyenko prevented Kai Havertz from tapping in a second goal before halftime.

Gabriel Jesus also had a chance to double the lead, but Riznyk was once again alert, denying the Brazilian with a save using his legs. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, the Gunners entered the break with just a narrow 1-0 lead.

Second Half: Missed Chances and a Nervous Finish

Arsenal’s wastefulness in front of goal carried into the second half. Leandro Trossard glanced a header wide, and Martinelli saw a powerful strike saved by Riznyk, who was having an impressive night. The missed opportunities emboldened Shakhtar, who grew into the game as the match wore on.

With the visitors gaining confidence, Arsenal were handed a perfect opportunity to put the game to bed when Valeriy Bondar was penalised for handball in the box. Trossard stepped up to take the penalty, but Riznyk made a crucial save to keep Shakhtar in the game.

Shakhtar pushed for a late equaliser, and they came close to snatching a point in stoppage time when Pedrinho’s fierce shot was brilliantly saved by David Raya, securing a narrow victory for the Gunners.

Conclusion

Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk keeps them on track in the UEFA Champions League, extending their unbeaten home record in the group stage.

Despite missing several chances to secure a more comfortable scoreline, the Gunners held firm to take all three points. Shakhtar, for their part, put up a resilient fight and almost snatched a draw late on, but Arsenal’s defence stood strong.

For more info on this game’s outcome, you may also visit:
Arsenal vs Shakhtar | UEFA Champions League 2024/25