Arsenal vs Shakhtar LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Gunners claim tight victory
Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Dmytro Riznyk’s own goal secured the points for the Gunners
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal earned another three points in the Champions League league phase with a less than comfortable 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners needed a win after their defeat to Bournemouth last Saturday and their desire to score was evident throughout a dominant first half. They had 22 attacks and created eight attempts with Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard all coming close.
It was Gabriel Martinelli who broke the deadlock with what proved to be the decisive strike. The Brazilian cut in from the left and struck a fine effort onto the post. The rebounded and hit Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk on the back before bobbling over the line.
In the second half Arsenal were awarded a penalty for a handball following a VAR check but Leandro Trossard has his effort stopped by Riznyk in some redemption for the keeper. Shakhtar then fought back well and the signs were strong that an equaliser was coming.
It wasn’t to be though with David Raya leaping to the left to make a fine save late in the game to give Arsenal the win.
Relive the action with our live blog below:
Previous Champions League results
Arsenal face Shakhtar Donetsk for the first time in 14 seasons in the league phase of the Champions League.
They were held 0-0 at Atalanta on Matchday 1 before Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a statement 2-0 win at home to Paris Saint-Germain in their second fixture.
Meanwhile, their Ukrainian opponents have a single point, drawing 0-0 at Bologna before a 0-3 loss against Atalanta.
How does the Champions League format work in 2024/25?
The pivotal change in Champions League format for this season is the departure from the former group stage system. From the 2024/25 season, 36 clubs will participate in the Champions League league phase (former group stage). Those 36 clubs will participate in a single league competition in which all 36 competing clubs are ranked together.
Under the new format, teams will play eight matches in the new league phase, facing fixtures against eight different teams, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away.
To determine the eight different opponents, the teams will initially be ranked in four seeding pots. Each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots, playing one match against a team from each pot at home, and one away.
The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the round of 16, while the teams finishing in 9th to 24th place will compete in a two-legged knock-out phase play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition. Teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated, with no access to the Europa League.
Mikel Arteta was asked to play for England
Mikel Arteta says he would have happily played for England but confirmed he was not one of the candidates the FA approached to replace Gareth Southgate.
The Arsenal boss was at Everton in 2010 when he was approached by then-England boss Fabio Capello, who thought Arteta might be eligible to play for the country where he had been resident for five years.
The FA later stated their understanding of Fifa’s eligibility rules would have rendered the Spaniard ineligible. Arteta said: “I was thinking about that the other day.
“I was actually talking to (Arsenal sporting director) Edu about that at lunch. Yeah, I would have done it. I feel very proud about it. I was very realistic, looking at the players Spain had at the time, and how big a challenge I had.
“You need to know your level, that is very important. Look in the mirror. At the end it didn’t happen. But it was good, at least to think about it.
“It was OK. If you cannot do it, you cannot do it. I wasn’t prepared to fight against the world.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he did not speak to FA about England job
Mikel Arteta says he would have happily played for England but confirmed he was not one of the candidates the FA approached to replace Gareth Southgate.
The Arsenal boss was at Everton in 2010 when he was approached by then-England boss Fabio Capello, who thought Arteta might be eligible to play for the country where he had been resident for five years.
The FA later stated their understanding of FIFA’s complex eligibility rules would have rendered the Spaniard ineligible, despite having never featured for his country’s senior side.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he did not speak to FA about England job
Arteta was approached by then-England boss Fabio Capello in 2010 but was later deemed ineligible.
Bournemouth defeat will fuel Arsenal says Arteta
The Gunners lost 2-0 to the Cherries on Saturday but Mikel Arteta hopes the defeat fuels his team into performing strongly against Shakhtar tonight.
“We are obviously very disappointed with the result and gutted because we have to play another game in that context. With 10 men for 60, 65 minutes at this level, it’s just impossible,” Arteta said when speaking about William Saliba’s sending off.
“It was a decision [the red card] made on the pitch. That decision was changed. Now I don’t think the decision is going to change again. So, decision made.
“Willy has never done anything like this but he doesn’t do it on purpose. It happens. We have to accept it, move on, and have that pain we are feeling for Tuesday.”
Naive Arsenal hurting themselves with red card mistakes
Declan Rice said “silly mistakes” and “naivety” is hurting Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge after William Saliba was sent off in their match against Bournemouth last weekend.
The defender will be available for tonight’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar and if the Gunners are to achieve anything in Europe they will need to cut out the errors.
“We’ve kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City. Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0,” Rice told Sky Sports.
“I’m proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that’s what wins you football matches.
“With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game. The big chance was Martinelli’s and the keeper read it and made a great save and one minute later, normally a routine we are so strong at, has done us.
“We can’t make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together. This is football, whatever happens the most important thing is that you stick together and stay in the right direction.”
Will Saka be available for Arsenal?
The 23-year-old missed the trip to Bournemouth as a result of the hamstring injury picked up while on international duty with England. Mikel Arteta said Saka’s injury was “not serious” ahead of the weekend but it was significant enough for him to miss his first match of the season.
“They are closer and both progressing really well,” Arteta said on Monday morning when asked about Saka and Martin Odegaard. “Martin is still not fit. With Bukayo, let’s see how he feels today and in the training session we have later on.”
Arsenal’s captain, meanwhile, is entering the final stages of his recovery from an ankle injury and Arteta suggested last week that he could return before the November international break.
The Gunners boss said this week will be “crucial” to understanding how close he is to returning, but Odegaard won’t be back for the Shakhtar match.
Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals Mikel Arteta management stunt: ‘We were in deep shock’
Oleksandr Zinchenko has opened up on Mikel Arteta’s unique methods of keeping Arsenal players on their toes, which involve bringing in professional pickpockets and undercover footballers.
Zinchenko worked under then-assistant-coach Arteta at Manchester City, before signing for the Spaniard at Arsenal in 2022.
The Ukraine defender has offered mixed performances for the Gunners in their bid to dethrone his former club, but Arsenal have no doubt improved under Arteta, who has unusual means of keeping players sharp.
Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals ‘shocking’ Mikel Arteta management stunt
The Arsenal coach has used professional pickpockets and undercover footballers to keep players on their toes
Arsenal vs Shakhtar prediction
Despite coming into the match on the back of a loss to Bournemouth there is enough firepower and ability in Arsenal’s team to get them back on track.
The loss of Martin Odegaard is huge and Bukayo Saka may not be fit to feature but the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard will be keen to show off their credentials in the absence of those two influential players.
Expect Arsenal to come out strongly and score goals making a win seem easier than it will actually be.
Arsenal 3-1 Shakhtar.
Latest odds
The bookmakers have Arsenal as the overwhelming favourites to win tonight’s match with the Gunners odds on to remain unbeaten in the Champions League.
Shakhtar’s failure to secure a win in their first two matches reflects their outsider tag but in this competition anything can happen and the Ukranian side may be meeting Arsenal at the right time.
Here are the latest odds:
Arsenal win 1/10
Draw 12/1
Shakhtar win 25/1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments