Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their UEFA Champions League clash on October 22, 2024. In a tightly contested game at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side managed to claim all three points thanks to a late goal, keeping their hopes alive for advancing to the knockout stages.
Tense First Half
Both teams showed tactical discipline in the first half, with Arsenal dominating possession but struggling to break down Shakhtar’s well-organized defense. The visitors were content to sit back and absorb the pressure, relying on quick counter-attacks to threaten the Gunners. Despite Arsenal’s control of the ball, clear chances were hard to come by, with Shakhtar’s defense standing firm.
Eddie Nketiah came closest to scoring for Arsenal in the first half, forcing a save from Shakhtar’s goalkeeper after a swift move down the left side. However, the Ukrainian side held firm, and the game remained goalless going into the break.
Second-Half Breakthrough
The second half saw Arsenal increase the tempo in search of a breakthrough. Their persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute when Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain, broke the deadlock. Ødegaard curled a beautiful free-kick into the bottom corner, leaving the Shakhtar goalkeeper with no chance.
Following the goal, Shakhtar tried to push forward to find an equalizer, but Arsenal’s defense, led by William Saliba and Gabriel, held strong, limiting the visitors to long-range efforts that never truly troubled Aaron Ramsdale.
Key Takeaways
This win leaves Arsenal in a favorable position as they look to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Despite the narrow margin, the Gunners showed resilience and patience, qualities they’ll need as they progress in the tournament.
Shakhtar Donetsk, although well-drilled defensively, will be disappointed not to have come away with at least a point after a valiant performance. The Ukrainian side remains in the hunt for qualification but will need to bounce back quickly in the remaining fixtures.
