Arsenal was able to scale through a difficult Shakhtar Donetsk test during their matchday three of the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 victory, extending their unbeaten home record to nine wins and one draw.
The Gunners needed a swift response to last Saturday’s disappointing loss at the Vitality Stadium, and their grip on the contest suggested it was going to be a laborious one if it was possible.
A few chances from Leandro Trossard and Ricardo Calafiori were missed earlier, but that didn’t stop Mikel Arteta’s side from creating more chances for a breakthrough.
Their persistence was rightfully rewarded on the stroke of the half-hour mark when Gabriel Martinelli’s low strike rebounded off into the goal via an unfortunate touch from the Shakhtar keeper, Dmytro Riznyk.
Somehow, the visitors didn’t react correctly to the Gunners’ opener as the break approached. It took only a sublime piece of defending from Mykola Matviyenko to deny Kai Havertz an effortless tap-in from point-blank range.
Also, before the break, Gabriel Jesus was close to scoring Arsenal’s second goal, but his effort was prevented from finding the net by the legs of Riznyk.
Arsenal’s lack of clinical touch continued to give Arteta a sweaty nose on the touchline in the second half, especially with Trossard’s header, which went wide and was followed by Riznyk’s save of Martinelli’s powerful strike.
The opportunities missed by Arsenal gave the Ukrainians some motivation as the clock counted down, but the North Londoners were presented another chance to put the game to bed when Valeria Bondar handled the ball in the box.
Trossard took the ensuing penalty, but the incredible Riznyk denied his attempt at scoring by diving to keep his side in the game. It wasn’t long thereafter when they got extremely close to grabbing an equalizer, only for Raya to save brilliantly Pedriho’s sharp effort as Arsenal sealed the narrow and, at the same time, huge victory.
Only time will tell how big the motivation therein with a welcome of Arne Slot’s side to the Emirates on Sunday.
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