Arsenal fans welcomed Shakhtar Donetsk to the Emirates Stadium for a Champions League showdown on Tuesday evening.
Mikel Arteta will have been desperate to see his Arsenal side get back to winning ways after their unbeaten start to the season came to an end against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The hosts dominated the opening period, but needed a stroke of fortune to go ahead as Gabriel Martinelli’s strike hit the upright before ricocheting off the goalkeeper and trickling over the line to be recorded as an own goal.
The Gunners were far too sloppy after the break, and Leandro Trossard’s failure to convert from the penalty spot meant that they never had a comfortable lead. Arsenal were ultimately able to grind out a 1-0 win though.
How the Arsenal players rated vs Shakhtar Donetsk
David Raya – 6
Had very little to do but made a vital save in the dying moments.
Ben White – 6
Ben White was caught out once as a Shakhtar Donetsk forward beat him for pace in one of their rare first half forays forward. The right-back was otherwise untroubled though, but picked up a booking before being taken off at half-time.
William Saliba – 6
Rarely tested and always comfortable. William Saliba’s composure will be missed against Liverpool on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Like Saliba alongside him Gabriel Magalahes was solid in the heart of the defence, made some important blocks.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
Riccardo Calafiori got forward well in the first half but was sloppy in possession after the break. Went off with an injury that Arteta will be hoping isn’t serious.
Thomas Partey – 6
Solid in the middle of the park.
Declan Rice – 6
Like Thomas Partey, Declan Rice was largely comfortable but played his part in the Gunners’ second half lack of composure.
Leandro Trossard – 5
Trossard struggled to impose himself on the match and his poor attempt to convert from the penalty spot summed up his evening.
Gabriel Jesus – 6
Afforded a start, Gabriel Jesus needed to impress and prove a point. The Brazilian striker has been in poor form for some time. His woes in front of goal continued this evening as he spurned a first half opportunity, but he worked hard and tried to make things happen.
Arsenal fans hammered Jesus after his performance against Southampton recently, but he showed some small progress this evening, but still has a long way to go if he is to save his future at the club and establish himself as a regular starter again.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
The Gunners’ most lively attacker on the night. The Brazilian’s pace and energy caused a consistent problem for the visitors. Martinelli has shown signs of improvement recently, and this display was more evidence that he is slowly finding his way back to his best form.
Kai Havertz – 6
Kai Havertz worked hard as ever at the top end of the pitch, but had little service to attack.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino – 5
Failed to help Arsenal maintain control of the game.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
Looked solid after replacing Calafiori.
Raheem Sterling – 6
Added some energy.
Jorginho – 6
Came on late to protect the slender lead.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
