Arsenal scrape past Shakhtar as drab win lays bare Champions League problem

ARSENAL 1-0 SHAKHTAR DONETSK: Mikel Arteta's Gunners laboured to a narrow victory over their Ukrainian counterparts in the Champions League after Dmytro Riznyk's unfortunate own goal

As responses go, this was pretty underwhelming. Rather like the new Champions League format.

Mikel Arteta desperately needed a morale-boosting win after Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth to lift the mood - and yet this was a turgid turn-off. Arsenal just about sneaked a win, they missed a host of chances - including Leandro Trossard seeing a penalty saved - and were left with more injury worries.

Riccardo Calafiori limped off with a knee injury to leave them woefully short of fit defenders to face Liverpool in Sunday’s title showdown. But, just as concerning, was Arsenal looking sluggish, sloppy and short of the zip they will need to overcome Arne Slot’s early pace setters at the Emirates.

You cannot be too critical when a team wins in the Champions League but this new format is not producing enough thrilling contests because, with the extra two games, there is a distinct lack of jeopardy and urgency in the early games.

Arsenal hardly played with any real intensity and fire and ultimately an own goal saw them across the finish line to make it two wins and a draw from their first three games. But Shakhtar Donetsk will feel they did themselves proud and never gave up which says everything about their spirit.

Shakhtar had travelled 1,400 miles by coach, train and plane to London such is their nomadic existence since the Ukraine war and they have long since stopped playing in Donetsk.

The Ukrainian club has been galvanised by those challenges and they looked to have weathered the early storm until bad luck conspired against them. Calafiori and Trossard missed early chances which would have put Arsenal in control.

But then it became all too slow, pedestrian and sluggish which was the big problem about Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth. They are missing Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka through injury and they cannot come back soon enough because Arsenal look a pale shadow of themselves without their most creative players.

William Saliba will miss Sunday’s game after his red card at Bournemouth and far too often Arsenal had to rely on their defence to keep out Shakhtar in what became a nervy final few minutes. It was crazy considering Arsenal went ahead after 29 minutes - and should have put the game to bed long before the final whistle.

Gabriel Martinelli darted down Arsenal’s left wing, cut inside the penalty box and then his low shot smashed against the base of the post, rebounded out, hit Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk’s backside and then deflected into the net. It gave a whole new meaning of 1-0 to the Arse-nal. Jesus, Trossard and Martinelli could - and should - have extended the lead.

Ben White went off at half-time - maybe more to do with a booking than an injury - and was replaced by Mikel Merino as Arsenal also had a tactical reshuffle with Thomas Partey going to right-back and Trossard pushing further forward.

Calafiori went off which means they could now be without him and Jurrien Timber while Saliba is suspended for the visit of Liverpool. Then Arsenal could not even take advantage of a gift from the penalty spot. Merino’s cross hit Shakhtar Valeriy Bondar’s hand and, under UEFA rules, it was given as a penalty after a VAR check.

But Trossard’s poor penalty went straight down the middle and Shakhtar keeper Riznyk saved with his legs. In the end, Arsenal actually had their fans on the edge of their seats. Shakhtar substitute Pedrinho’s deflected shot in injury time was saved brilliantly by David Raya as it was too nervy than it should have been.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.