Arsenal's European aspirations were never going to hinge entirely on this result, but they made a tough task of securing three points that nonetheless propel them closer to extending their campaign beyond January. They had ample opportunities to seal the victory against Shakhtar Donetsk, only to face a tense finish when Dmytro Riznyk saved Leandro Trossard's 79th-minute penalty. Ultimately, it was Riznyk's own goal in the first half, which he hardly knew about, that decided the match, while Shakhtar remained commendably competitive throughout. Mikel Arteta will now anxiously await updates on Riccardo Calafiori's fitness, who left the field visibly in pain 20 minutes before the end.
As this expanded Champions League format enters its winding middle phase, it was tempting to ponder what exactly was at stake for Arsenal. Arteta had barely been questioned about the game itself in his pre-match press conference; they still have plenty of time to navigate safely through the 36-team group. However, he had been extensively questioned about the implications of Saturday's controversial defeat to Bournemouth, and perhaps that was where the motivation lay: to reset somewhat before the more significant visit of Liverpool this Sunday.
Shakhtar's visit at least offered a story of genuine significance. Their consistent performance at this level is remarkable, and the way they have simultaneously taken on the role of international ambassadors for their country since its horrifying invasion by Russia is inspiring. Any result here would be a triumph, and they were cheered on by 3,000 supporters in an away end adorned with Ukrainian flags.
There was always the risk for Shakhtar that, even without Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal might quickly get the job done if they came out at full speed. The expected fast start materialized, and soon after Gabriel Jesus had crossed just beyond Trossard, a corner from the Belgian found Calafiori. The goal was within his reach, but eight yards out, he sent it over, and the early storm subsided.
The left winger Eguinaldo provided a brief glimpse of what might happen if Arsenal relaxed, stealing the ball from Ben White and heading for the penalty area, only to see his opponent recover and prevent any real danger. In the 16th minute, he managed to get a shot off following a smart move by Pedro Henrique, the effort deflecting off Gabriel Magalhães and behind. Arsenal were being kept honest, although Trossard sliced wide at the other end after a clever setup from Kai Havertz and then flicked a Martinelli cross off target.
Arsenal were hardly operating at full capacity by now, and as the half-hour approached, Shakhtar could feel satisfied that the proceedings were drifting. It only took a slight shift in gear to change the momentum. Declan Rice fed Martinelli on the left, and after a typical move inside the right-back Yukhym Konoplia, his drilled shot struck the base of the near post. It rebounded straight off the unfortunate Riznyk and squirmed in, injecting some life into a previously semi-engaged home crowd.
A second goal would likely have removed any remaining tension, with Havertz seeking it but seeing Riznyk clear. It did not come before the interval due to a heroic intervention by Mykola Matviyenko when Havertz looked certain to score, and shortly before the whistle, a smart Riznyk save from Jesus. Arteta replaced White, who had been booked and looked off his best, at half-time with Mikel Merino, with Thomas Partey moving to right-back; it did little to alter the flow of the game, with Trossard glancing a Martinelli delivery past the far post.
Riznyk, hardly at fault for the opener, contrived a more self-inflicted problem with the ball at his feet in the 53rd minute but managed to fend off Martinelli, shortly afterward looking more secure when beating away an effort from the same player. Shakhtar, no pushovers when given the chance to build, were handed their best opening so far by a sloppy pass from Trossard that demanded a potentially goal-saving block by Gabriel from Eguinaldo. They were still in the game and began to probe higher up the pitch.
Even without battering at the door, they were ensuring Arsenal, for whom mistakes were creeping in, could not look to the latter stages feeling completely at ease. There was genuine concern when Calafiori, seemingly sustaining a knee injury, could not continue and was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly. Moments later, Arsenal had the chance to quell any uncertainties on the night, with Valeriy Bondar judged, following a VAR review, to have turned Merino's cross away with an outstretched arm.
Trossard was tasked with ensuring the penalty was converted, but Riznyk achieved a deserved measure of redemption by repelling a poor spot-kick, aimed down the middle, with a trailing leg. Shakhtar, visibly alive with possibility now, came closest in added time when David Raya saved at full stretch from Pedrinho. They could be proud, but for Arsenal, this was another league phase encounter to tick off.
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