A first half own goal from Shaktar Donetsk goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk – after a Gabriel Martinelli shot ricocheted off the post and then the Ukrainian’s arse – was enough for Arsenal to take all three points in the Champions League this evening.
There were good first half chances for Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus, while Leandro Trossard missed a generously awarded penalty. Not particularly convincing, but three points all the same.
Here’s how the players rated this evening.
Read the Arsenal 1-0 Shaktar Donetsk match report and see the goals here
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I think it’s totally reasonable to miss your two best creative players- but not by this much.
It looks as though we could play for 10 games at the moment and not score from open play. Bit concerning as it wasn’t vastly different even with Saka- his dead ball delivery is just so good it got us out of jail a few times.
We scored from open play
No we didn’t.
Missing those two players means we need others to come to the fore, and in this way score from fore play.
wheeeeyyyy… well done Mr. Mayor, shall I get you your McCoat?
What’s the point of Sterling? what does he add to the team? I mean, you want control you bring Jorginho, you want something fresh and inventive bring Nwaneri… Sterling brings what exactly? seniority? Reiss’ cameos were MILES ahead of him
Chelsea player
Thought the Jesus rating was generous. I love the guy but it’s just not happening for him lately, really hope he can turn it around.
Yes, can’t wait to have our two bonified superstars back in the squad!
4/4 dribbles completed, 7/10 duels won, 1 big chance missed.
I think this sum up his game quite well. He was good but still missing this goal although I believe it will come (maybe Sunday ?)
Hope you’re right bro
again you and your “balanced analysis”, daring to cite factual data in the face of perfectly good subjective complaining.
As long as they’re not playing under the influence of Viagra.
Moving TP back to RB and Cala going off injured just about sums up our awful luck at the moment.
It’s a win but we need a change in our luck Gods.
Am willing to offer Calafiori my knees or anything he needs at this point. Really sucks that Tomi had a setback.
Tierney: not injured all the time till he got to Arsenal. Now injured all the time.
Tomiyasu: not injured all the time till he got to Arsenal. Now injured all the time.
Zinchecnko: not injured all the time till he got to Arsenal. Now injured all the time.
Calafiori: not injured all the time till he got to Arsenal… please stay healthy!
That’s an entire back 4
Three points is three points, no matter how ugly it was. Of course we’re going to suffer without Saka and Odegaard, I remember on the odd occasion when Henry and Bergkamp were both out at the same time we looked a shadow of ourselves then despite having a brilliant squad. Can’t wait until the two of them are back again.
That felt like watching 2019 Arsenal.
We look like we’re one bad result away from crumbling completely.
Saturday is a must win!
Bit of a champ manager suggestion maybe but I’d start Nwaneri at the weekend. We need a spark without Saka and Odegaard.
17 year old kid to the rescue? Get real
At this rate, Jesús will be sold in the summer. Hard work is appreciated but for a forward so little end product is unacceptable. Sterling, well he’s past his best, and his explosiveness which often made the difference is also gone. Granted, he’s new and needs to get used to the environment but I don’t think he’s our type of player.
We get worst every time Sterling plays, he has no intensity, no will, nothing
Agreed TP started to look his old self first half. Awful 2nd half aside from Martinelli who was excellent in the absence of our superstars.
Speaking of which someone on the coaching staff needs to have a word with him about how to put the laces through it sometimes. Going for the curler at the far post every time makes goalkeepers learn your game.
What, like the one at the back post in the 2nd half where he lashed it and the keeper made a good save?
Or, you know, the goal that was scored?
Jesus on the wing is starting to remind me of Iwobi. Does the first 90% so so well, but consistently gets the final ball wrong. So frustrating to watch.
In his and Sterling’s defence. They are much better on the left wing. Put Martinelli, Trossard on the right and Saka on the left and they will mess up more final balls as well.
Not only Nwaneri didn’t start, he didn’t come off the bench either. He is our only creative player who can make things happen. Not impressed at all tonight. Just happy with the three points.
White’s foul was absolutely unnecessary and he got his hands up near his throat. I bet another part of the reason for Arteta to take him off was to show players bad decisions cost playing time. I can’t imagine he wanted to put TP back there.
Benjamin looked unfit in the last two games. Hope he can get up to speed quickly.
I want blogs grading my performances on Sundays. I’m 56, a stone overweight, can’t jump, couldn’t run for a bus and both my legs are chocolate legs.
He’s probably still give me a 5.
It’s hard to do ratings because everyone has a different opinion but for me it’s fair to judge a performance relative to the expectations of the player. Sterling is a player who supposedly has something to prove, lots of natural talent, earns 300k + a week and has many caps for England. Anything above a 3 for his ‘cameo’ is extremely generous. On the flip side I thought Partey was the glue which held us together tonight. He gets at least an 8 from me.
Are you available on Sunday?
A win in the CL and the lot of moaning
Merino hiding all game
Love the Radio Raheem reference!
Before we write off Sterling, let’s remember that this time last year nearly everyone felt the same about Havertz, and by Christmas almost everyone would have happily sold him at a loss.
Players take time to adjust to new team mates, new managers and new tactics. Sure, he hasn’t hit any real form so far but he will surely have to play a part on Sunday against his first club and let’s remember how often players score against their former clubs.