Arsenal bounced back from Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth with a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday three of the Champions League. However, it was far from a convincing performance by Mikel Arteta’s players who lost Riccardo Calafiori to injury ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool
Gabriel Martinelli proved to be the difference maker – the Brazilian forced a first half own goal with a shot that came off the post before rebounding into the net off the keeper – but he was a rare bright spark on a muted night at Emirates Stadium.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on his side’s performance…
Two very different halves. We looked very sharp in the first, very dominant and created a number of big chances that we didn’t convert. The boxes are crucial in this competition. In the second half, I felt the team was tired, we didn’t have that fluidity or purpose with the ball. We were a bit sloppy at times.
Source: UEFA.com
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Marino Pušić on what he said to his players after the game…
I said to my players just now in the dressing room that I’m very, very proud of their performance today; how they showed up, how they worked to get better and – especially in the second half – on the ball, we were very good.
Source: Uefa.com
Arsenal (2.13) 1-0 (0.83) Shakhtar Donetsk
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) October 22, 2024
UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel on making Martinelli man-of-the-match…
He played a key role in the decisive goal. He provided a constant attacking threat, excellent work rate and defensive covering.
Source: UEFA.com
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Gabriel Martinelli on getting the job done…
Most important thing is to win. We knew how tough they are and we came here to win the game and we did it. We wanted to score more but we won the game and that’s the most important thing.
Source: TNT Sports
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟏-𝟎 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐤: 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒
Arsenal made it 3 clean sheets in a row in the Champions League for the first time since 2007.
However, they've missed 4 of their last 8 UCL penalties…
Get all the key stats below⬇️https://t.co/jcpRi5zBPv pic.twitter.com/kzdp2369Hc
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 22, 2024
David Raya on making a big save at the end…
In these type of games where we dominate the game and don’t give many chances away, the main factor is to keep concentrated and be there ready to help the team. It happened there at the end of the game, I made a save to keep the clean sheet, obviously that’s the most important thing, get the three points in a special moment like this at home. I saw he’s about to shoot and I think it takes a little deflection from one of the players and I’m able to move to get the ball, you see I save it with my wrist, but it takes a deflection or it moves, I don’t know but i’m happy with the save.
Source: Amazon Prime Video Sport
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Big Gabi on the win and another clean sheet…
It was a difficult game (but) we take the three points. We are happy to play at home in front of our fans. To be able to give this for them is good for us and the club. We worked very hard, but of course it’s good to keep a clean sheet and take all three points. We are so happy.
Source: Arsenal.com
David Raya in the Champions League this season:
3 games played
5 saves made
1 penalty saved
0 goals conceded🧱🧱🧱 pic.twitter.com/I8WWPM8jqh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 22, 2024
Mikel Arteta on Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori going off…
Ben, it was my decision to take him out. He had a yellow card and we’ve played enough with 10 men in the recent period. They had a lot of density on that side, a lot of attacking players and I didn’t want to take any chances there. With Riccy, he had to come off because he felt something. I don’t know the extent of that but in that sense, it’s not great news.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Owen Hargreaves on the way Riccardo Calafiori went down…
He fell incredibly awkwardly. To be fair, it can happen, but I worry for him. He tried to play on which is a good sign and he walked off. He has huge quads, so hopefully they can protect the knee when you get in a spot like that but he fell incredibly awkwardly.
Source: TNT Sports
Leandro Trossard joins the likes of Arshavin, Alexis, Kanu, Ozil (2) and Thierry Henry (5) to miss a penalty for Arsenal in the Champions League.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) October 22, 2024
Lee Dixon on the decision to award Arsenal a penalty…
I’m looking at it from a full-back’s or defender’s point of view. He’s put his leg up to try and clear the ball, his arm is behind his leg and then it misses his knee. When you look at it, is his arm in an unnatural position? As he jumps for the ball his arm goes up and then he brings it down because his action is to land. I don’t think it’s a penalty.
Source: Amazon Prime Video Sport
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On whether Kai Havertz wanted to take the penalty…
I don’t know, I don’t know the conversation because he’s one of the takers. Leo decided to take it, okay he missed it, that’s it unfortunately.
Source: Amazon Prime Video Sport
Kai Havertz couldn’t make it 8 Emirates matches in a row with a goal ⚽️
He still shares to the joint record with Robin van Persie 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Xu1lUvFYPN
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 22, 2024
Gael Clichy on Arsenal’s Champions League chances…
I don’t know if they can win it, it’s a long way. We don’t talk about this a lot but you need to be lucky as well in this competition, you need your players to be fit in the right moment, you need to produce big games, big moments. Can Arsenal do it? When I look at the results from last year, Aston Villa at home, the 0-0 with City, 2-2 with City, the game with Bayern Munich, I still feel they are missing a little something, fearlessness, more adventurous character. I think they can go all the way, but so far, they need to prove they can do it.
Source: Amazon Prime Video Sport
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Marino Pušić on his side’s journey home…
Tomorrow we fly back to Poland, then we drive with the bus a couple of hours to the train station, then we take a night train. It will take approximately 20 hours. It’s a tough one, but it is like it is.
Source: Amazon Prime Video Sport
🧡 @FCShakhtar boss Marino Pusic reveals that Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko visited their dressing room after the match to show his appreciation.#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/6QoX5Jytow
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 22, 2024
Boring game. Poor performance but job done. Can’t see us taking anything against Liverpool.
This team lacks rhythm at the moment but it’s very understandable. We’ve had injuries here and there, not just Ø and Saka but most importantly We’ve played way too many games with 10 men in a short space of time.
Hopefully we can build our attacking mindset and rhythm again and have some luck with the PGMOL not giving us a yellow card at every opportunity that arises while having a “talking to” with players that are whacking Saka for the 11 th time in a game
I was out and about last night so missed the whole game. I’ve since caught up and am a little confused by all the negativity I’ve been reading. 3 or 4 guilt edged chances in the first half. Shaktar had one shot from distance and a cross that caused saves from Raya, both late in the game. xG 1.8 to 0.4. We also missed a penalty. I’m really struggling to see why everyone seems so down on us. Feels to me like a professional job done in the toughest tournament in world football. 2 wins and a draw in three… Read more »
Our goal was a freak own goal and 0.7 of the xG was the penalty. And it was a very fortunate penalty as well.
Was a really unconvincing performance.
Well, it came from a shot which hit the post. It was a good chance and Martinelli was unlucky not to have scored.
Maybe it wasn’t a performance that will go down in the annals of time. But most games don’t.
We were missing our two best players and still kept a clean sheet and never looked too bothered.
Im not saying we should be jumping with joy. But the fact we can dispatch teams relatively comfortably in tough circumstances shows what a professional outfit we are these days.
Ah, guilt edging. I know I shouldn’t, but it feels so good!
They don’t call us Gooners for nothing.
The problem with a guilt edged chance, Johnny, is that it really leaves you feeling bad. If it’s three or four, as you say, then you are pretty much ready to ask everyone for forgiveness.
Haha! Thanks for the gentle ribbing guys! I’ve only ever heard that phrase spoken by commentators. If I was smarter I might have wondered why the edges were so damn guilty.
Gilt-edged. I stand corrected!
Out of the 9 defenders, we barely have 4 to start with on this Sunday
Could well be Partey at RB, Benny for suspended Willie, Big Gabby and either Kiwior / MLS. That’s not great is it?
Timber could be back, then it’s him and Ben on the right side, Gabby, and maybe Zinchenko would be my guess. Not ultra ideal but very far from poor options imo.
I wouldn’t put Z up against Salah. I love him but salah had him on toast the last few times they faced each other.
Pray Jurien is fit and he plays LB against salah. benny b and big Gabi in the middle. RB is problem for me. Don’t fancy Thomas there. Whens tomi back???
Maybe this will be Nwaneri’s big chance? Seriously, who else was disappointed not to see him start tonight?
He should’ve at least come on
Why doesn’t Arteta play Nwaneri? First of all he actually does play him. The complaint is that he should play him more. Why doesn’t he? 1. Mental. Avoid the savior complex. Don’t let the player or the fans pile too much pressure on him too soon. In other words it’s different to give minutes to a young player because those are the minutes HE needs for normal development versus giving him minutes because the TEAM needs him to put on a cape and be Martin Odegaard. 2. Tactical. Odegaard’s off ball role was to be the captain of the counterpress.… Read more »
He didn’t come on because we had a slender lead and jorghinho is a calm head on wise shoulders on a sensible torso on experienced legs. Nwaneri is exciting but an attacking player and Lewis Skelly was already on
Before the season started, I asked what happens if Odegard is injured? Do we have a plan B? I am still not convinced we had or have one.
Unfortunately I think we are now down to plan C or D for the Liverpool match.
It’s not like we’ve lost all our games since he got injured though is it?
No, we’ve just struggled through all of them and don’t trust the one player that is his actual cover, to cover him.
Nwaneri was the supposed plan B. One which Arteta is now refusing to use.
Bad planning. He’s either old enough and should play if Odegaard is out, or he’s too young and we should’ve got better cover.
8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss. It’s about as good as you could expect given our injuries so I’m remaining optimistic. I’m worried about Liverpool but if Saka and Timber return to fitness then we’ve got a decent chance. Enjoy the win and enjoy the rest of your week lads
“He has huge quads…” Steady on, Owen. Riccardo’s really young, we try not to.
Hahah nice one
Thank you Thomas Partey for resembling a modicum of football ability in our midfield. We’ve got one at least that can turn with ball at feet and do something positive. And to believe people were having a go at him at beginning of season. Guy has played nearly every game (11 in total) almost 90 minutes and has been solid enough. So instead of criticising a 31 year old (who still has it) lets check on Declan eh…he runs around a bit and shows passhun. 105m….he receives ball from saliba or gabriel and needs the islington roundabout to turn. Maybe… Read more »
In all honesty I wouldn’t mind putting him at CB on Sunday, given anybody else playing there would require either Partey going RB or Kiwior playing wrong-sidedly. Merino-Partey-Nwaneri is a balanced midfield three, even if it’s not our best one.
I don’t even think you believe half the stuff you’re saying. Get it together man!
I actually agree with you, Partey looking brilliant defensively and offensively last 4 or 5 games. Not the current party line, but it is what my eyes say.