Match Report – Player Ratings– Highlights – Post-Match Press Conference
Final Result: Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar (Riznyk OG 29?)
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White (Merino 46′), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly 72′); Rice, Partey, Trossard (Jorginho 87′); Jesus (Sterling 68′), Martinelli, Havertz
Following the defeat to Bournemouth, Arsenal needed to get things back on track with Shakhtar Donetsk coming to town. Bukayo Saka wasn’t fit enough to start, so Gabriel Jesus replaced him on the right.
First Half Analysis
Arsenal drew first blood when Riccardo Calafiori blasted a shot but inside the box over the bar after a goalmouth scramble caused by a Leandro Trossard cross into the danger area. The onslaught continued and Arsenal got the lead they deserved when Gabriel Martinelli cut in from the left and blasted a shot that hit the post before ricocheting off Riznyk in the Shakhtar goal.
Martinelli continued his great form after whipping a cross deep for Gabriel Jesus in the box. Riznyk was in No Man’s Land and Jesus dinked the ball to Kai Havertz’ head but it was snatched away by Matviyenko. Havertz held the ball well and teed up Jesus that blasted a goal straight at Riznyk. With no goal tonight, Jesus has gone 22 games without a goal. Sigh.
Second Half Analysis
Martinelli was on fire and led a good press on Riznyk that put the Shakhtar goalie in duress. The goalie managed to scramble the ball away and sent it out of trouble but Havertz latched into the ball and flashed a cross to Martinelli’s path. The Brazilian winger fired a good shot and it was saved by Riznyk that showed better composure.
Late on, Shakhtar put a good rally and almost equalized when Pedrinho’s shot was saved superbly by Raya.
