Arsenal wanted an personal purpose to seal a scrappy 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday as they made it two wins out of three within the Champions League to melt the blow of their first home league defeat of the season on the weekend.
The hosts missed a penalty within the second half and squandered plenty of first rate possibilities, however the actuality was they by no means discovered prime gear and needed to stand up to some late strain from their Ukrainian opponents.
Arsenal, who had been overwhelmed 2-0 by Bournemouth within the Premier League on Saturday, made a quick begin with Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus each having good alternatives earlier than a lucky opener within the twenty ninth minute.
Picture by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Photographs
A low shot from Martinelli rebounded off the submit and off the again of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk for what turned out to be the one purpose of the sport.
Arsenal would have doubled their benefit earlier than halftime had been it not for Shakhtar captain Mykola Matviyenko who hooked the ball off the road to forestall a diving Kai Havertz nodding in.
Leandro Trossard additionally missed a second-half penalty awarded by VAR following a handball within the field.
Shakhtar, who’re but to win within the Champions League this season, put extra strain on Arsenal after that and went near equalising when substitute Pedrinho had a long-range effort beautifully saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya in stoppage time.
Victory lifts Arsenal provisionally into the highest 4 of the brand new 36-team league part earlier than Wednesday’s fixtures with their subsequent match away at Inter Milan. Shakhtar will search to bounce again of their subsequent match at house to Swiss facet Younger Boys.
Arsenal shall be relieved to have sealed the win however with out key playmakers Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard who had been lacking by damage, had been nicely off their fluent greatest.
Arsenal defender Ben White was substituted at halftime, adopted with 20 minutes to go by Riccardo Calafiori after the Italian had landed awkwardly following a problem.