Arsenal bounced back from their defeat against Bournemouth by securing a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Seventy-two hours after they were dealt a surprise first loss of the season at the Vitality Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side retained their unbeaten record in Europe so far when Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half strike rebounded in off goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Leandro Trossard missed a penalty with 14 minutes left, and David Raya also pulled off a fine save in stoppage time, while Arsenal’s evening was soured by a second-half Riccardo Califiori injury. Fellow defender Ben White also failed to emerge after the interval just five days before Liverpool’s visit to north London in the Premier League.
Securing all three points in N5 🔐 pic.twitter.com/L7xIgtIxuO
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 22, 2024
Arsenal were again without Bukayo Saka, with the hamstring injury he sustained during the international break, and the England international is expected to be absent on Sunday. Another man poised to be missing against the Reds will be William Saliba after the Gunners elected not to appeal his red card at Bournemouth.
Here, he took his place in the centre of Arsenal’s defence, with Gabriel Jesus installed on the right wing.
The first big chance of the evening, perhaps predictably, came from an Arsenal corner, with Calafiori blazing over from six yards out when he might have done better. And it was Calafiori who registered the home side’s first effort on target after 24 minutes, following a controlled, if not electric opening, from the Gunners.
However, five minutes later, the breakthrough arrived. Martinelli made space for himself in the area and his right-footed drive took a slight deflection en route to the foot of Riznyk’s post before hitting the goalkeeper on the back and rolling over the line.
Kai Havertz then looked poised to head home Jesus’s knock-down from Martinelli’s cross only to be denied by captain Mykola Matviyenko’s hooked clearance.
A minute before the interval, Jesus should have landed his first strike in nearly nine months. The Brazilian won the ball on the edge of the visitors’ area, with Trossard’s pass then finding Havertz, who turned it round the corner for an unmarked Jesus, but his effort was denied by Riznyk’s outstretched right leg.
White, who only made his injury comeback against Bournemouth after a near-month lay-off, was then withdrawn at half-time. And with Jurrien Timber sidelined, Arsenal had to navigate the second period with Thomas Partey operating as a makeshift right-back.
Martinelli’s side-footed blast was punched away for a corner by Riznyk after eight minutes of the second half gone, but with just the sole-goal lead, there was a mild sense of unease inside the Emirates Stadium.
Shakhtar, fourth in the Ukrainian league, and without a goal in Europe so far, were starting to see more of the ball albeit without troubling Raya in the Arsenal goal.
Then, shortly after the hour mark, Arsenal’s mounting injury crisis took another twist when Calafiori sustained an apparent knee injury following a collision with Eguinaldo. The Italian attempted to play on, but was pulled off just half-a-dozen minutes later.
With 14 minutes to go, Arsenal were awarded the chance to put the game out of sight when VAR intervened after Valeriy Bondar handled substitute Mikel Merino’s cross in the area. But Trossard attempted to go straight down the middle and his unconvincing spot-kick was saved by Riznyk.
Shakhtar pushed for an equaliser and Raya denied Pedrinho with a fine one-handed diving save in the second minute of stoppage time before Marlon Gomes fluffed his lines with an unmarked header from only a few yards out to allow Arsenal to see out the win.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal 3-0 Nottm Forest Leicester 1-2 Chelsea Pray for City! Club football is back Harry Kane recreated the Bundesliga logo When you order Jack Grealish on Wish This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The France striker has been linked with Manchester United in recent days.And as he battles to work his way into Chelsea's starting XI this season, Nkunku is said to be considering his options.United and PSG have both been linked with the striker.But the Athletic says Chelsea have ruled out parting with Nkunku in January....
Diomande has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.Andersen coached the defender with Midtjylland U19s and told O Jogo: “I can understand that there is a lot of enthusiasm around Diomande and that big clubs are after him, because he has been very well. "They're crazy values, you've reached a point where you start to wonder if they belong there. I talk to...
Trivela says Real are considering a move for the Brazilian veteran in January.Real management recognise the retirement of Toni Kroos has left a massive void, which has led to discussions about bringing Casemiro back to the club.It's believed Casemiro would have a big impact on the pitch and in the dressing room at Real, which are struggling for consistency this season.The 32 year-old left Real for...
Arsenal and Liverpool to lock horns in January for ZubimendiReal Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool, but Arsenal are reportedly keen on rivalling the Merseyside club for his signature. According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are preparing a second bid for the standout player, with a January transfer seen as a strong possibility. They are determined to land Zu...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 5 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Mia Khalifa slams rumours of 'affair with ex-Prem star Julian Alvarez'
- 8 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 9 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 10 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year