Arsenal rebounded from their defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend but were still well short of their best as Mikel Arteta’s ongoing injury worries worsened, but Shakhtar Donetsk were nevertheless beaten 1-0, via an own goal, in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
[MORE: Champions League standings | Champions League schedule & fixtures ]
The Gunners were already without captain Martin Odegaard (ankle), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Jurrien Timber (muscular) before Riccardo Calafiori injured himself around the 70th minute on Tuesday, with no rest for the weary anywhere in sight. Between now and the November international break, Arsenal will play five more games in three different competitions across 19 days.
Their three Premier League fixtures in that time are against leaders Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea. Eight games into the PL season, Arsenal sit 3rd in the table, four points behind Liverpool and three back of Manchester City, the four-time defending champions.
The goal came in the 29th minute, and the chance was well worked by Arsenal as Gabriel Martinelli cut in from the left wing and fired a low laser into the mixer. Martinelli’s shot took a slight deflection off a defender’s leg and smashed the front side of the post, only to find Dmytro Riznyk’s backside as the goalkeeper was scrambling back to his feet.
Riznyk was otherwise stellar, as he made four saves on the night, including one from the penalty spot in the 77th minute. Leandro Trossard had the chance to put the game to bed with a quarter-hour left to play, but the Belgian put his penalty straight down the middle and Riznyk was able to make the kick-save with his trailing leg and give Shakhtar a lifeline.
Player ratings - Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk updates - by Andy Edwards
Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Dmytro Riznyk (29' - OG)
PENALTY SAVED! Leandro Trossard denied as Dmytro Riznyk atones for his earlier own goal
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Dmytro Riznyk denies Leandro Trossard from the penalty spot! ❌😤 pic.twitter.com/ekp2zLCY49
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 22, 2024
OWN GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar: Gabriel Martinelli’s shot hits the post, then the goalkeeper’s backside
Gabriel Martinelli's shot deflects off the back of Shakhtar Donetsk's goalkeeper to give Arsenal the lead 😳🎯 pic.twitter.com/ePK4ERK8kj
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 22, 2024
Arsenal starting lineup
Raya - White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori - Partey, Rice, Trossard - Jesus, Martinelli, Havertz
Shakhtar Donetsk starting lineup
Riznyk - Konoplia, Bondar, Matviyenko, Henrique - Kryskiv, Bondarenko, Zubkov, Eguinaldo - Sudakov, Sikan
How to watch Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (October 22)
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Arsenal focus, team news
The injury issues have calmed down for Arsenal, slightly, with Timber and Saka potentially being available but neither were seen training before this game. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Jorginho will surely start, with Raheem Sterling set to start again after being hooked off early against Bournemouth due to William Saliba’s red card. It will also be intriguing to see if Saliba starts, as he’s suspended for Sunday’s game against Liverpool and Arteta may want to play Ben White and Gabriel at center back together against Shakhtar to build some familiarity for the huge clash against Liverpool.
OUT: Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Martin Odegaard (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Jurrien Timber (other), Bukayo Saka (thigh)
Shakhtar Donetsk focus, team news
As we mentioned, Sudakov is the big threat going forward as he’s scored seven goals in 11 games in all competitions this season. Shakhtar have a long history of signing and developing Brazilian stars (Willian, Bernard, Elano and Fernandinho to name a few) and they have another crop of young Brazilians to keep a close eye on. Pedro Henrique and Pedrinho both play a key role for Shakhtar, while Newerton and Eguinaldo are two young forwards catching the eye.
Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction
Arsenal will look to come flying out of the blocks and get the win wrapped up as soon as possible to rotate their weary squad ahead of the game against Liverpool this weekend. They may have to be a little patient but there’s no doubting they will get the win. Arsenal 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk.
