Arsenal scrape past Shakhtar as drab win lays bare Champions League problem

It was pretty underwhelming. Rather like the new Champions League format.

desperately needed a morale-boosting win after Saturday’s defeat at to lift the mood - and yet this was a turgid turn-off. just about sneaked the win, they missed a host of chances - including seeing his late penalty saved - and ended the night with another injury scare.

Riccardo Calafiori limped off with a knee injury while was also subbed at half-time but that was because he had been booked. Arteta did not want to risk getting another red card after three sendings-off already in the .

It leaves Arsenal woefully short of fit and available defenders to face on Sunday and it was also not a performance to leave the fans convinced they will be able to overcome ’s early season pace-setters. Maybe you should not be too critical when a team wins in the but this new format is not producing enough thrilling contests because there is a distinct lack of jeopardy and urgency in the early games.

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Arsenal hardly played with any real intensity, they lacked a spark and ultimately an own goal saw them across the finish line to make it two wins and a draw from their first three games. The goal rather summed up a scrappy and messy game. It also gave a whole new meaning to One Nil to the Arse-nal because the ball went in off Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Dmytro Riznyk’s backside.

But at least Shakhtar did themselves proud as they never gave up and so nearly got a late leveller as Arsenal keeper produced a fine save in injury time. The Ukrainian club has been galvanised by the war in their country and they had to travel 1,400 miles by train, coach and plane to London having long since stopped playing in Donetsk.

Shakhtar weathered the early storm as Gabriel Jesus and Calafiori wasted big chances before visiting captain Mykola Matviyenko heroically cleared off the line when Kai Havertz looked certain to score. Arsenal are missing Martin Odegaard and through injury and they cannot come back soon enough because they look like a team short of ideas and creativity without them.

Finally, Arsenal went ahead after 29 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli darted down Arsenal’s left wing, cut inside the penalty box and then his low shot smashed against the base of the post, hit keeper Riznyk’s backside and then deflected into the net. White going off at half-time prompted Arsenal into a tactical reshuffle as Mikel Merino came into midfield, Thomas Partey went to right-back, Trossard moved further forward and yet it did not really click.

Arsenal wasted more chances as Martinelli fired straight at the keeper and Trossard glanced wide as the home side’s lack of cutting edge gave Shakhtar hope. Calafiori went off injured which disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm and will be another worry with William Saliba also suspended for Sunday and Jurrien Timber struggling to be fit.

Then Arsenal could not even take advantage of a gift from the penalty spot. Merino’s cross hit Shakhtar defender Valeriy Bondar’s hand and, under UEFA rules, it was given as a penalty after a VAR check. But Trossard’s poor penalty went straight down the middle and Shakhtar keeper Riznyk saved with his legs.

In the end, Arsenal were the team praying for the final whistle. Shakhtar substitute Pedrinho’s deflected shot in injury time was saved brilliantly by Raya as it was too nervy than it should have been.

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