Arsenal defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in a tense UEFA Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Shakhtar’s goalkeeper, Dmytro Riznyk, own goal in the first half was enough to help seal the victory.
The match started with Arsenal dominating possession and creating several early chances. Gabriel Martinelli was particularly lively, and his persistence paid off in the 29th minute. Martinelli’s low shot hit the post and rebounded off Riznyk’s back, resulting in an own goal. This gave Arsenal a much-needed lead going into halftime.
Despite their lead, Arsenal struggled to maintain their dominance in the second half. Shakhtar Donetsk began to push forward, and Arsenal’s defense was put under pressure. Leandro Trossard missed a penalty in the second half, which could have sealed the game for Arsenal, but Riznyk made a crucial save. The match remained tense until the very end, with David Raya making a full-stretch save to deny Shakhtar substitute Pedrinho a late equalizer.
The match was not without its injury concerns for Arsenal. Riccardo Calafiori was forced off with a knee injury, adding to the club’s growing list of absentees, which includes Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Jurrien Timber. Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a swift recovery for Calafiori as Arsenal prepares for their upcoming fixtures.
The victory takes Arsenal to seven points from their first three Champions League games, putting them in a strong position in the group stage. However, the team will need to address their injury issues and improve their overall performance to maintain their momentum in the competition.
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