Arsenal Player Ratings After Narrow 1-0 Win Over Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (7/10):
A relatively quiet night for the Arsenal goalkeeper, who had little to do for most of the match. However, Raya’s alertness in the dying moments proved vital as he made a crucial save to deny Pedrinho, ensuring that Arsenal held onto their slim lead.
Ben White (5/10):
Not his best performance, as he struggled defensively and was booked in the first half. White didn’t look fully fit and was substituted at halftime, possibly to avoid further strain. His absence left a gap on the right side, which Arsenal had to adjust to in the second half.
William Saliba (7/10):
Saliba delivered a composed and solid defensive performance, a much-needed response after his recent red card. He handled Shakhtar’s limited attacking threat with ease and helped keep the opposition’s strikers quiet throughout the game.
Gabriel Magalhães (7/10):
As always, Gabriel was aggressive in his defensive duties, making key blocks and interceptions. His positioning and ability to read the game were crucial in keeping Shakhtar from creating many dangerous opportunities.
Riccardo Calafiori (7/10):
Calafiori started brightly, linking up well with Martinelli on the left flank and getting forward frequently. However, he missed a glorious early chance to open the scoring and later suffered an unfortunate injury, twisting his knee in the second half. His exit will be a major concern for Arsenal, especially with a crucial Premier League match against Liverpool looming.
Midfield
Thomas Partey (8/10):
A commanding presence in midfield, Partey dictated the tempo of the game with his ball distribution and defensive contributions. He was the dominant player on the pitch, especially in the first half, and his versatility was showcased when he was moved to right-back for the second half following White’s substitution.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Rice was a driving force from midfield, constantly looking to push forward and create opportunities. His passing was sharp, and he had a couple of decent chances to score, but he couldn’t find the target. Nonetheless, his physical presence and work rate were crucial in maintaining Arsenal’s control of the match.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
One of Arsenal’s brightest attackers on the night, Martinelli caused problems for Shakhtar’s defense with his pace and direct play. His shot in the first half hit the post before bouncing off the goalkeeper for the game’s only goal. Despite the lucky nature of the goal, Martinelli was a key figure in Arsenal’s attack.
Gabriel Jesus (6/10):
Jesus struggled to make the impact he would have hoped for, particularly in front of goal. He missed a good chance just before halftime, and it seemed to affect his confidence. Though he worked hard on the right wing, often causing issues for Shakhtar’s defenders, he couldn’t provide the clinical touch needed to finish off chances.
Attack
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Trossard had a lively game, pressing Shakhtar’s defense and contributing to Arsenal’s attacking efforts. However, his performance was marred by a poor penalty miss in the second half, which could have sealed the game. The missed opportunity summed up Arsenal’s frustrating night in front of goal.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Another tough outing for Havertz, who is still struggling to make his mark at home. Despite his hard work and efforts to get involved, he rarely threatened the goal and didn’t get many clear-cut chances. His inability to score remains a concern for Arsenal.
Subs & Manager
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Merino replaced Ben White at halftime and slotted into the defense. While he made a few important blocks, he didn’t offer much going forward. His primary focus was on shoring up the backline as Shakhtar applied pressure late on.
Raheem Sterling (5/10):
Sterling came on in the second half but struggled to find his rhythm. He made little impact on the game, and his involvement was minimal during his time on the pitch.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):
A late substitute for the injured Calafiori. He had little time to influence proceedings.
Jorginho (N/A):
Came on in the final minutes to help Arsenal see out the win.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Arteta made a few changes to his starting XI, but the team struggled to find a spark, particularly in the final third. His decision to not start Ethan Nwaneri raised eyebrows, but Arteta stuck to his more experienced options. Despite the win, Arteta will be concerned with the lack of finishing and the growing injury list.
