Arsenal will be looking to recover swiftly from their first defeat of the season when they take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to reignite their winning momentum at the Emirates Stadium.
With their unbeaten record still intact in European competition, the Gunners remain confident of their chances.
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Despite their weekend defeat in the Premier League, Arsenal’s form in the Champions League has been impressive.
The Gunners kicked off their European campaign with a goalless draw against Europa League champions Atalanta, followed by a commanding 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta’s men have shown resilience on the continental stage, and they’ll look to build on that success when they face Shakhtar.
The Gunners will need to quickly regroup after their Bournemouth loss, where they suffered a frustrating setback due to William Saliba’s red card in the first half.
Fortunately, Saliba will be available for the Champions League match, as his suspension applies only to the Premier League. However, the Gunners are sweating over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, who missed the Bournemouth game due to an injury sustained during international duty.
Other notable absentees include Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, all of whom are sidelined with injuries. Despite these challenges, Arteta has plenty of depth in his squad, and players like Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz will be eager to step up.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Struggles in Europe
Shakhtar Donetsk have had a mixed start to their Champions League campaign. After managing a goalless draw in their first match, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Atalanta in their most recent European outing.
Facing Arsenal away from home will be another tough test for the Ukrainian side, who will need to improve defensively if they hope to avoid another heavy loss.
Shakhtar’s squad, however, does have some bright talents that could pose a threat to Arsenal.
Players like Georgiy Sudakov, who has been linked with Premier League moves, and Artem Bondarenko, an attacking midfielder with six goal involvements in the Ukrainian league this season, are worth keeping an eye on.
Shakhtar may also benefit from the fact that Arsenal could rotate some of their key players, with a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool on the horizon.
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Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Jorginho, Havertz; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli
With Bukayo Saka a doubt, Arsenal could rely on young talents like Raheem Sterling to fill the void in attack. Declan Rice and Jorginho are likely to anchor the midfield, providing stability and creativity, while Gabriel Jesus will lead the line, hoping to add to his tally in the Champions League this season.
Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Riznyk; Bondar, Ghram, Matviyenko; Gomes, Kryskiv, Stepanenko, Henrique; Bondarenko, Sudakov; Sikan
Shakhtar will likely stick to their usual 3-4-2-1 formation, with their midfield duo of Bondarenko and Sudakov tasked with creating opportunities. Their defense, led by Matviyenko, will have to be at its best to contain Arsenal’s dangerous attack.
Key Players to Watch
For the Gunners, Gabriel Jesus will be a key player in this match. The Brazilian forward has the ability to change games with his quick feet, clinical finishing, and relentless work ethic.
Alongside him, Gabriel Martinelli’s pace and direct running will be crucial in unlocking Shakhtar’s defense. Declan Rice’s leadership in midfield will also be vital, ensuring that Arsenal control the tempo of the game.
On the Shakhtar side, Georgiy Sudakov is the player to watch. The young Ukrainian has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, and this match could serve as a showcase of his talents. Artem Bondarenko, who has been in fine form domestically, will also look to make his mark against a strong Arsenal side.
Arsenal’s Game Plan
Mikel Arteta will likely instruct his team to dominate possession from the start, pressing Shakhtar high up the pitch to force errors.
Arsenal’s full-backs, particularly Ben White and Calafiori, will play an important role in pushing forward to create overloads on the wings, stretching Shakhtar’s defense.
With Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli looking to exploit any defensive gaps, Arsenal will be keen to score early and put the game beyond Shakhtar’s reach.
Shakhtar’s Approach
Shakhtar Donetsk will aim to stay compact and disciplined defensively, knowing that Arsenal will look to dominate the game.
Counter-attacks will be their best chance of causing an upset, with Sudakov and Bondarenko key to launching quick transitions. They will also hope to frustrate Arsenal by keeping their defensive shape and denying them space in dangerous areas.
Score Prediction
While Shakhtar Donetsk have some talented players in their ranks, they are unlikely to pose a serious threat to Arsenal, especially at the Emirates.
The Gunners will be eager to bounce back from their weekend defeat and should have enough firepower to comfortably see off the Ukrainian side.
Jambobet Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Arsenal’s European form has been solid, and as long as they avoid another red card, they should secure an easy victory. The Gunners are strong contenders for topping their group, and a win against Shakhtar will only solidify their position.
