TO PUT it lightly, Mikel Arteta has found Arsenal’s recent red card flurry a right pain in the backside.
So, this largely uneventful and uninspiring Champions League victory lacking any thrills, spills or early showers would have come as a slight relief for the Gunners boss.
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However, the Arsenal medical team continue to be kept busy with yet more untimely injury woe on the horizon – Riccardo Calafiori potentially the latest victim.
Gabriel Martinelli’s 29th-minute strike typified the quality of this contest, cutting inside and seeing his tame effort deflected on to the base of the post then back off Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Dmytro Riznyk’s bottom and in.
As the Emirates faithful continue to sing around here: 1-0 to the Arsenal.
It should have been more but for Leandro Trossard’s missed penalty in the 77th minute, making what should have been a comfortable night slightly awkward, and generally tedious.
Not exactly the ideal response following an away-day flop, but job done – just.
Arteta had spent the build-up to this clash defending his side’s discipline in the aftermath of William Saliba’s first-half dismissal in the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend.
That made it three reds in six Prem games, costing them seven points in the process.
The outing at the Cherries was Arsenal’s first loss for six months.
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It was therefore imperative to avoid another bum note of a result, even if both the performance and atmosphere were both severely lacking for a European night under the lights.
That will not overly concern Arteta.
This below-par win makes it seven points from a possible nine in a new format that requires teams to play the long game to qualify.
And on Sunday with Arne Slot’s shock title chasers Liverpool in town, this place will be rocking and raving at the prospect of closing the gap up at the top of the table.
There were some positives. Martinelli looks back to his sharp and fizzing best down the left flank, involved in a third goal in his last five games in all competitions.
But Arteta still has some headaches to contend with.
Skipper Martin Odegaard and star boy Bukayo Saka are major doubts to face the Reds, alongside the suspended Saliba.
There were also some casualties from this one. Ben White was taken off at half-time for an unknown reason and Calafiori was also forced off with a jarred knee.
And then there is the issue of Gabriel Jesus.
On just his fourth start this term, this was a chance for the Brazilian to end the most unwanted of runs in front of goal.
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Since netting away at Nottingham Forest on January 30, Jesus had gone 22 games, 266 days and 732 minutes without scoring.
And yet again, that streak was extended, the slump continues, even against his favourite opposition – a side only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals against in this competition.
And with Arteta returning to a 4-4-2 set-up after his Mikel Merino experiment failed against Bournemouth, he isn’t even trusted to play as a striker any more, instead chucked out on the wing, albeit wearing the captain’s armband.
Not that he did not have chances – good chances – but this is clearly a player inside his own head, overthinking every shot, every touch and searching desperately for confidence.
With Arsenal’s state of injuries currently, Jesus needs to snap out of that and fast and contribute as much as Martinelli, Trossard and Kai Havertz are currently.
Trossard and Havertz combined early on from a corner with Calafiori blazing over from six yards out.
Shakhtar were struggling with the early intensity in front of their 3,000 travelling fans.
In their first Euro game on English soil in nearly five years, manager Marino Pushych insisted there was no time for excuses, despite their troubled 13-hour journey over from war-torn Ukraine.
Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners
ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.
Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…
DAVID RAYA – 7
Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages
Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.
BEN WHITE – 6
Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team.
Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.
One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5
Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.
Marked improvement in the second half.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.
Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.
Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.
Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.
Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.
Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.
Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.
Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.
Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.
Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.
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Mikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6
Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.
Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6
Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6
Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.
Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A
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But Arsenal too were sloppy. White and Saliba falling asleep at times to gift Eguinaldo a sniff of goal and a rare foray forward.
Wasted opportunities were coming and going until Martinelli’s huge slice of luck to calm the nerves as the hosts took the lead.
He was at it again two minutes later and Declan Rice squared for Havertz but for some good defending before being denied a close-range diving header from Shakhtar skipper Mykola Matviyenko.
Jesus missed a few sitters inside the box. Nothing he touches ripples the net right now.
There was a reshuffle at the break with White mysteriously subbed, forcing Thomas Partey into right-back and Merino on for some more game time at his new club.
Arsenal were struggling for tempo, even after Trossard flicked a header just wide, but were given the perfect antidote via a VAR-assisted decision to award a spot-kick for an unfortunate handball from Merino’s cross.
Trossard stepped up, but could only find the legs of Riznyk.
For Arteta’s sake, he needs to put this game, this performance, well and truly behind him.
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