Mikel Arteta probably imagined a more decisive victory than what unfolded on the pitch.
Although Arsenal managed to secure a win against Shakhtar Donetsk, the match was hardly the convincing performance fans might have hoped for.
Dmytro Riznyk’s own goal in the first half proved crucial, allowing Arsenal to bounce back after their unexpected loss to Bournemouth.
However, the game could have been much smoother, especially considering Leandro Trossard’s missed penalty.
A Win Is Still a Win
Arteta might argue that a victory is a victory, and he’s not wrong.
This win puts Arsenal firmly on track for qualification to the Champions League knockout stages.
Yet, the lackluster nature of the performance might not instill much fear in their upcoming opponents, Liverpool, who will visit on Sunday.
Arsenal’s inability to capitalize on numerous chances could be a significant concern as they prepare for a more formidable challenge.
Missed Opportunities Plague Arsenal
Throughout the match, Arsenal was undeniably wasteful, creating enough scoring opportunities to potentially win two games.
While Arteta may view this as a positive aspect, they won’t have the same luxury when facing off against Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool’s defense this weekend.
Arsenal started the game with urgency, with Gabriel Martinelli darting down the left flank and captain Gabriel Jesus racing down the right, putting Shakhtar on the back foot.
An early chance for Riccardo Calafiori went begging as he wildly blasted over the bar from a corner taken by Trossard.
Trossard himself squandered a couple of decent opportunities before Calafiori forced Riznyk into a comfortable save as Arsenal sought to take control of the match.
Despite the initial pressure, Shakhtar began to settle, with players like Eguinaldo and Georgiy Sudakov making notable contributions.
A Fortunate Breakthrough
Arsenal eventually earned the lead they deserved, but the opening goal came with a touch of luck.
Martinelli, who had been giving right-back Konoplia fits all evening, cut inside and unleashed a low shot that struck the post and ricocheted off the unsuspecting Riznyk into the net.
From Shakhtar’s perspective, it was a stroke of bad luck, but even the most dedicated fans would agree that Arsenal had earned their advantage.
Despite a brilliant defensive clearance from Mykola Matviyenko that denied Kai Havertz a certain goal, the first half ended with a sense of frustration for Arteta, as Arsenal hadn’t put the game to bed.
Ideally, he would have liked to rest several key players in preparation for the showdown against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Adjustments for the Second Half
To facilitate this, Ben White was substituted at halftime, allowing midfielder Mikel Merino to take his place while Thomas Partey shifted to right back.
Arsenal resumed their control of the game, but Trossard continued to be wasteful, notably nodding a free header from Martinelli’s cross behind the far post early in the second half.
While it seemed that Arsenal would secure a second goal, missed chances raised the question of whether they would come to regret them.
Riznyk was forced to make a save from Martinelli’s shot shortly after, and Trossard missed again, firing wide when he really should have scored.
Although Arsenal dominated possession, there was an air of tension as Shakhtar began to find their rhythm, leaving the home crowd uneasy.
Growing Anxiety and Late Drama
As the match progressed, anxieties grew, particularly after Calafiori needed extended treatment for a knee injury.
A potential turning point arrived when a VAR decision awarded Arsenal a penalty after Valeriy Bondar was deemed to have handled the ball in the box.
However, Trossard’s subsequent penalty was saved by Riznyk, and the match took on a more frantic tone as Shakhtar pressed for an equalizer.
Arsenal was left scrambling in defense, with Raya making a superb save from Kevin’s powerful shot in stoppage time.
Ultimately, Arsenal clung to their narrow lead and secured the win, but it was a far from comfortable experience, raising questions about their readiness for the upcoming clash against Bournemouth.
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