Arsenal started the game nervously, with Niklas Bendtner spearheading an attack with the pace of Walcott on the flank. Eduardo was in the starting lineup for the home Ukrainian side, who in terms of past results had reasons to be confident. Arsenal’s centre back pairing seemed unsure, and it took the composure of Craig Eastmond to settle their nerves.
Arsenal started to pass the ball with confidence, and slowly but surely, they silenced the wild throng within the Donbass Arena. Both teams seemed keen to make a statement and it was Samir Nasri’s attempt on seven minutes, a shot that flashed inches past the far side post of the Shahktar keeper that shouted loudest. However witihin minutes it was totally eclipsed by my hero Theo Walcott. much has been spoken about the transition of Theo Walcott from winger to central striker ala Titi Henry. It was a breakout from defence that saw Jack Wilshere make a deft flick ahead of Theo, who lit the afterburners, and cruised ahead of the Shakhtar defence and slotted the ball home from 20 yds. Majestic, Imperial and so so Theo!
Shakhtar 0 Arsenal 1 Walcott 10′
There are moments in the first half that cannot be explained, Djourou seemed intent to give the ball back to Eduardo, after 17 minutes Shakhtar should have netted after a ball in from the left of the Arsenal box, played pinball with djourou, the post and finally Fabianski.
Arsenal went to sleep on 28 minutes as Shakhtar netted from an own goal from Craig Eastmond’s shoulder. What a shame, it was Eboue’s silly lunge from behind that earned the Ivorian a yellow card and gave away the free kick that Shahktar’s Jansen curled into the danger area with pace and created the equaliser.
Shakhtar 1 Arsenal 1 Eastmond (o.g.) 28′
Shakhtar seemed comfortable taking on Eboue and many of the chances came from this flank. The pressure mounted as wave after wave of orange and black marauders assaulted the Arsenal garrison. Fabianski was equal to the task and made several key reassuring saves. This Ukraine team had not read the script and were thirsty for revenge.
Jack Wilshere was the solution and his domination of the attacking areas of the midfield made Arsenal a constant threat and in so doing Shahktar could not advance up the field as much as they would have liked. Rosicky worked hard and added his muscle to the fight back. Clichy’s run of errors continued as he conceded possession to Srna who crossed the ball into Eduardo who cooly slotted home the second goal. The player much loveed by the Arsenal faithfully refused to celebrate and somehow the irony was clear for all to see. Eduardo’s link up play had been classy and his movement sublime and the finish summed up why some Gooners wondered about the wisdom of selling our former talisman.
Shakhtar 2 Arsenal 1 Eduardo 45′
The first half ended shortly afterwards with some players looking shell shocked. Shakhtar have been unbeaten since residing in the Donbass, 27 matches unbeaten in the new stadium and some 48 matches since they were beaten on Ukrainian home soil
The second half saw Arsenal try to consolidate with Jack Wilshere providing mature composure to ease the Gunners back into the game despite attracting attention from the Ukrainian hackers in midfield. in a deft act of bravado, the pint sized Englishman was found curling a ball past the far upright when he had no right to have regained possession. the game became more of a cup tie, and the attack followed by counters made the game a very exciting spectacle.
Then came a surprise Arsenal Substitution: 59′ Carlos Vela for Craig Eastmond, the early substitution by Arsene Wenger signalled his determination and resolve to win the game. Shaktar also made a substitution on 61 mins Gai for Teixiera. Witihin minutes Squillaci survived a penalty claim from Shakhtar but the striker was guilty of simulation. Squillaci was found shortly in the opponent’s penalty area with a free header, but he failed to connect with ball with enough power to convert the very real chance. Several long range efforts by Theo Walcott was comfortably saved by the Shakhtar keeper. Arsene Wenger bought on Marouane Chamakh for Niklas Bendtner, and Shakhtar brought on Costa for Jadson.
Costa’s first touch almost led to a cast iron chance but the shot was easily blocked on the 18 yard box, as Arsenal looked a little shaky. Fabianski’s effort saved more blushes as Shakhtar seemed to invade the Arsenal penalty box at will. At the other end there seemed glimses of what might be, but lady luck had sat down, having given her favours to Squillaci as he calmly parried a low drive across the box, which looked liked putting the Ukrainian’s even further ahead in the tie. this was clearly a different Shakhtar team than that which got pulverised in North London. With less than 10 minutes to go, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was brought on to replace Theo Walcott as the Arsenal attack appeared to be struggling to create balance. The reaso9ning for this change? well perhap some fresh legs could just about save the day, but I have to say that Theo still looked a threat before his exit from the game.
A snap shot from Carlos Vela on the turn from a JET knock down gave rise to stronger hopes, but the Ukrainian keeper was more than equal to the effort. Eboue was lucky to stay on the field after a very clumsy challenge on Adriano. It was on 88 minutes that saw Adriano replaced by Marcello Moreno for Shakhtar who used to play for Wigan. Flares were lit and the smoke drifted across the turf like a menacing fog from a Steven King novel, but by this time the ghouls had already emerged and done their damage. In the closing seconds of time added on, Fabianski made a wonderful save from Shakhtar’s attackers. So it was that Eduardo broke Gooner’s hearts, on that very cold night in Ukraine. There can be no excuses, Shakhtar deserved their win.
Final Score: Shakhtar 2 Arsenal 1
Teams: Shakhtar: Pyatov,Srna,Chygrynskiy,Raakitkiy,Rat, Gai, Hubschman, Jadson, Eduardo, Willian, Adriano
Arsenal: Fabianski, Clichy, Squillaci, Djourou,Eboue, Eastmond, Rosicky, Wilshire, Nasri, Walcott, Bendtner
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