Arsenal hosted Shakhtar at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League Group Phase on Tuesday, October 22 and secured a narrow 1-0 win.
The Gunners began the match in a dominant manner and controlled possession of the ball as they looked to play Shakhtar off the park. After multiple chances early in the game, the deadlock was finally broken as Gabriel Martinelli’s shot ricocheted off the post and deflected off Dmytro Riznyk for the opening goal after 29 minutes. Arsenal carried a narrow one-goal lead into the break.
The second half was a similarly slow affair with Arsenal controlling possession but struggling to create chances freely. Their best opportunity came from the spot in the 79th minute but Leandro Trossard fluffed his lines and Riznyk made decent save. However, the hosts held on to secure a 1-0 win.
On that note, let’s take a look at the player ratings for both sides.
Arsenal Player Ratings vs Shakhtar
Goalkeeper
David Raya – 7/10
He had nothing to do for most of the game but made one great save late on to keep Arsenal ahead.
Defenders
Benjamin White – 6.5/10
White picked up an early booking and was subbed off at half-time to prevent another one.
William Saliba – 7/10
Saliba won three of his four duels, making three clearances and one interception in a decent performance.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7.5/10
Gabriel won two duels, making six clearances and two blocks.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6.5/10
Calafiori had a good first half but picked up an injury in the second period and was subbed off.
Midfielders
Gabriel Jesus – 7.5/10
Arsenal’s captain for the night had a decent game on the right flank. He completed all four of his dribbles attempts and also won seven duels.
Declan Rice – 7.5/10
Rice passed the ball with 96% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won all three of his duels.
Thomas Partey – 7.5/10
Partey played the first half in midfield but was then moved back to right back for the second period. He passed the ball with 89% accuracy and won six duels.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8.5/10
Martinelli attempted the shot that rattled off the upright and resulted in an own goal by Riznyk. He also played five key passes, completed all three of his dribbles and won seven duels in a Player of the Match performance.
Forwards
Kai Havertz – 7.5/10
Havertz passed the ball with 90% accuracy, including five key passes. He also won five duels.
Leandro Trossard – 6.5/10
Trossard missed a penalty and also fired the ball wide of the mark on four other occasions in a subpar performance.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino – 6.5/10
He replaced Ben White for the second half and added some solidity in midfield for the Gunners.
Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
He replaced Jesus on the right flank but could not make much of an impact.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6.5/10
He replaced the injured Calafiori in the second half and put up a decent performance for Arsenal.
Jorginho – N/A
He played for less than 10 minutes hence does not warrant a rating.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 7/10
Arteta went slightly defensive despite being just a goal up but guided his team to victory.
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Shakhtar Player Ratings vs Arsenal
Goalkeeper
Dmytro Riznyk – 8/10
Riznyk made a blunder in the first half as he scored an own-goal. Despite Shakhtar being unable to level the game, he redeemed himself with five saves during the match, including one penalty save to deny Trossard.
Defenders
Yukhym Konoplia – 6.5/10
Konoplia made a decent start to the contest but had an average game overall as he ended up on the losing side.
Valeriy Bondar – 6.5/10
Bondar had an average game at the heart of Shakhtar’s defence.
Mykola Matviyenko – 7/10
The Shakhtar skipper had a busy evening as he won five of his six duels, making nine clearances and one tackle.
Pedrinho – 6.5/10
Pedrinho had an average outing for his team and also committed a foul that earned him a yellow card.
Midfielders
Artem Bondarenko – 6.5/10
He passed the ball with 96% accuracy and also won four duels in a decent performance.
Dmytro Kryskiv – 6.5/10
Kryskiv passed the ball with 87% accuracy, including one key pass.
Georgiy Sudakov – 7/10
Sudakov passed the ball with 86% accuracy, including two key passes, and also won two duels.
Forwards
Oleksandr Zubkov – 6/10
He was ineffective on the right flank for Shakhtar as they succumbed to a narrow defeat.
Danylo Sikan – 6.5/10
Sikan was unable to get involved in the game as much as he would have liked and was unable to make an impact as a result.
Eguinaldo – 6/10
Eguinaldo put in a subpar performance for his team and did not pose any threat to the opponent.
Substitutes
Pedrinho – 6.5/10
He came in the second period but was unable to make an impact.
Kevin – 6.5/10
He replaced Sikan but was unable to make an impact on the match for Shakhtar.
Lassina Traore & Marlon Gomea – N/A
The pair played less than ten minutes apiece and hence did not warrant a rating.
Manager
Marino Pusic – 6.5/10
He made decent changes and was unfortunate to not get anything out of this game.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What was the result of Arsenal vs Shakhtar?
A. Arsenal secured a 1-0 win against Shakhtar.
Q. When was Arsenal vs Shakhtar?
A. The game kicked-off at 7:00 PM GMT on Tuesday, October 22.
Q. Who was the man of the match in Arsenal vs Shakhtar?
A Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal was the man of the match.
Q. Who was the worst performer in Arsenal vs Shakhtar?
A. Oleksandr Zubkov of Shakhtar was the worst performer.