Arsenal faced off against Shakhtar Donetsk in matchday 3 of the Champions League. The Gunners hosted the Ukrainian club at the Emirates Stadium. This match did go in favour of Arsenal as they won against Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0.
Mikel Arteta’s men were nowhere close to being the best in the match. The Gunners were poor in the attacking front as well as in the defensive side. They had a total of 13 shots with five shots on target. Arsenal kept major possession but were unable to finish some chances.
The Gunners managed to get on the scoresheet thanks to an own goal. A low shot from Gabriel Martinelli rebounded off the post and from the back of Shakhtar Donetsk’s keeper Dmytro Riznyk. This goal in the 29th minute was the only lucky opportunity that the Gunners were able to pull out.
Arsenal also had a chance of doubling their lead as Kai Havertz had a chance to nod in a header into goal. Shakhtar Donetsk’s captain intercepted the ball and denied the chance of putting Arsenal into the lead. The Ukrainian club had 9 shots but only 1 shot was targeted towards the goal.
Shakhtar Donetsk has yet to win a match in the Champions League. They put more of a fight against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are lucky as David Raya made a magnificent save in the stoppage time that denied substitute Pedrihno’s shot towards goal.
A big penalty miss but the result goes in favour of Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s men were only able to secure their win against Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to an own goal. Gabrei Martinelli, Riccardo Calafori and Gabriel Jesus missed some chances before the halftime break. If these chances were taken things would have been much comfortable for the Gunners.
An opportunity arose when a penalty was awarded to Arsenal after halftime. The referee did not point to the spot initially but after a VAR check, the penalty was given. Valeriy Bondar was penalized after the ball hit his hand in the box which was turned into a penalty for Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard took the opportunity to increase the lead tally for the Gunners. The Belgian’s poor shot was saved by Shakhtar Donetsk’s keeper Dmytro Riznyk. Trossard was not sure and it felt like he was unsure of taking the spot kick.
Arsenal fans were furious as to why didn’t Kai Havertz take the penalty. The German has a good record in taking spot kicks according to Transfermarkt. It was a controversial decision as to why Mikel Arteta went through with the decision of Leandro Trossard taking the penalty. The manager did realise that the Gunners did not put their best performances in the Champions League, he said-
” In the second half, we looked tired. We did not have the usual sharpness with and without the ball”.
The Gunners will keep their head high and realise a win is a win. They did not have their best of games against Shakhtar Donetsk but they managed to salvage three points. This win put Arsenal on the 10th position of the Champions League table. The Ukrainian club will look to win their first Champions League match against Young Boys next.
Gunners need to tighten their seatbelts ahead of Liverpool clash
Arsenal will face the Premier League table toppers Liverpool in their next fixture. The Gunners will travel to Anfield Stadium and look to secure three points against the Reds. This match will be intense as both teams are in good form. Arne Slot’s side registered a dominant 2-0 victory against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta’s men are coming from a disappointing game in their previous Premier League match. They faced a shock 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth. The Gunners were unable to grab any points which could have put them at the top of the table.
Liverpool has only lost 1 game in all of their 8 games and stays on top of the table. The Reds are in first place with 21 points. Arsenal is in the third position with 17 points. There are concerns regarding Arsenal’s defence as important players will miss out.
Riccardo Calafori injured himself after half-time after he was involved in a duel and landed awkwardly. Mikel Arteta has decided to rest the Italian in the match against Liverpool. William Saliba is another player who will be out of the squad because of a red card suspension. It will be interesting to see how the manager will set up the defence in this important clash.
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