Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar: Gunners' Player Ratings as Martinelli dazzles under the Emirates lights in a narrow win | UEFA Champions League 2024-25
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, October 22. The result sees the Gunners move up to fourth place in the league table with seven points from three matches so far.
Arsenal made a dominant start to the game and looked to control the pace of the game by keeping the ball for extended spells. With 65% of the ball in the first period, the likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz all found themselves in decent positions to give the hosts the lead. However, Shakhtar defended fairly well and kept the Gunners out.
The visitors' resistance was broken in the 29th minute as Gabriel Martinelli's direct run at goal forced an error. The Brazilian's shot hit the left upright before striking Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk's back and creeping into the net as Arsenal led 1-0. The hosts kept committing numbers forward but were unable to create a decent opening as they carried a narrow lead into the break.
Arsenal began the second half as they had done in the first and kept the ball for extended spells. They continued to show drive and urgency to grab another goal as they ventured into Shakhtar's territory with purpose. However, they had to wait until the 75th minute for their first real chance of the second period. Valeriy Bondar handled the ball from a cross and the Gunners were awarded a spot-kick.
Trossard stepped up to take it and fired his effort down the middle, with Riznyk extending his legs just enough to prevent the ball from going in. That save galvanized a hapless Shakhtar side as they felt confident to have a go at Arsenal after that. However, despite seven attempts, the visitors hit the target just once as they were unable to get back into the contest.
The Gunners held on and secured a narrow win, and on that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Disclaimer: The stats were obtained from Sofascore on Wednesday, October 23 at 3:20am IST and are subject to change.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 7/10
Raya was inactive for most of the contest but was called upon to make a stunning save at full-stretch in the closing stages as he earned his clean sheet.
Benjamin White - 6.5/10
White made a rash start to the game and was booked in the first half itself, prompting Mikel Arteta to replace him during the interval.
William Saliba - 7/10
Saliba won three of his four duels, making three clearances and one interception.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7.5/10
Gabriel won two duels, making six clearances and two blocks in the process. He also passed the ball with 96% accuracy.
Riccardo Calafiori - 7/10
Calafiori won three duels and passed the ball with 83% accuracy but suffered an injury and was taken off in the second half.
Gabriel Jesus - 7.5/10
The stand-in Arsenal skipper had a good game as he passed the ball with 87% accuracy and also completed all four dribble attempts. He also won seven duels.
Declan Rice - 7.5/10
Rice put in a strong performance in the middle of the park, passing 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 and then moved to right back. He passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including one key pass, and won six duels overall.
Gabriel Martinelli - 8.5/10
Martinelli created the chance that forced an own goal from Shakhtar 'keeper Riznyk. He played five key passes and three accurate crosses, and also completed all three dribble attempts. The Brazilian also won seven duels.
Kai Havertz - 7.5/10
Havertz passed the ball with 90% accuracy, including five key passes. He also won five duels in a complete performance.
Leandro Trossard - 6.5/10
Trossard saw his penalty saved by Riznyk and also fired four other shots wide of the mark in a subpar performance.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino - 6.5/10
He replaced White in the second period and added solidity to Arsenal's midfield.
Raheem Sterling - 6.5/10
Sterling came on in the second period but did not match the output provided by Jesus.
Myles-Lewis Skelly - 7/10
He came on late in the second period to replaced the injured Calafiori and put in a decent shift.
Jorginho - N/A
The Italian came on in the second period but did not play at least10 minutes so does not warrant a rating.