Arsenal managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in their UEFA Champions League group stage match, but it wasn’t an easy win for the Gunners. Missing their star player Bukayo Saka, Arsenal struggled to create many clear chances and were ultimately helped by a costly mistake from the Shakhtar goalkeeper, Dmytro Riznyk.
The match, played on October 22, 2024, at Emirates Stadium, came just days after Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season against Bournemouth. Fans were hopeful for a quick recovery, but the absence of key players, particularly Saka, was evident in their performance. Arsenal looked shaky at times, and the team found it difficult to break down Shakhtar’s defense.
The only goal of the match came in the 56th minute when Riznyk, the Shakhtar goalkeeper, accidentally turned the ball into his own net. A mix-up in communication between Riznyk and his defenders led to an own goal, handing Arsenal a much-needed lead. While the Gunners celebrated, it was clear they had been handed a lifeline after failing to capitalize on earlier opportunities.
Leandro Trossard, who had missed a penalty earlier in the match, was visibly relieved by the turn of events. His penalty miss could have been costly, but Riznyk’s own goal spared him the blame. Despite dominating possession for large parts of the game, Arsenal lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Shakhtar, on the other hand, showed resilience and came close to equalizing on a few occasions. Arsenal’s defense, led by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, held firm, ensuring they kept a clean sheet and took all three points.
