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Havertz story ‘unbelievable’ since first Arsenal goal, lauds Arteta

Arsenal are back in Champions League action hoping to bounce back from a terrible domestic weekend as they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the European top-flight.

Mikel Arteta’s men were defeated 2-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League last time out and will hope to brush that loss aside in order move closer to the automatic qualifying spots in the Champions League table tonight.

The top eight teams will all earn a place in the last-16 without having to go through a play-off match and the Gunners currently sit 13th with one win and one draw from their two matches so far. It has been a strong start to the competition with their opponents being Europa League champions Atalanta and Ligue 1 winners Paris Saint-Germain.

In comparision, Shakhtar are still seeking their first win in the revamped league phase having taken one point from their first two matches. Arsenal will be confident of winning all three points tonight but the Champions League does throw out the odd surprising result.

Follow all the action with our live blog below:

Arsenal 0-0 Shakhtar

3 mins: After the corner is defended, Declan Rice sprays the ball across the pitch and finds Gabriel Jesus on the right wing. Arsenal’s captain attempts to feed a pass through to Kai Havertz but the ball is blocked.

Jesus receives it back and lays off to Ben White who gets taken out. Or so he thinks, the referee believes otherwise and lets play go on with Shakhtar looking to counter-attack.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 20:03

Kick off! Arsenal 0-0 Shakhtar

The visitors get the ball rolling and boot it long over to the right side of the pitch. The ball comes all the way through to David Raya and Arsenal sweep quickly up the pitch.

They feed Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing and the brazilian scurries into the box and wins a corner.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 20:01

Arsenal v Shakhtar

The players are waiting in the tunnel ready to head out at the Emirates.

Gabriel Jesus is leading the Gunners tonight in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. Will Arsenal get back to winning ways?

We’re about to find out…

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:56

Arsenal vs Shakhtar

Getting ready for tonight’s action:

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:50

Can Gunners fire again?

After slipping to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, when defender William Saliba was shown a controversial red card in the first half to see their unbeaten start abruptly end.

Arsenal have the chance to get themselves back on track against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta’s side have impressed in Europe so far, beating Paris St Germain in the last round of games.

Shakhtar, meanwhile, are yet to score in their two Champions League fixtures – but come to London on the back of successive wins in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:45

Will Shakhtar avoid defeat at the Emirates?

The draw with Manchester City in November 2019 ended Shakhtar’s run of six successive losses in England, and was only the second time they have avoided defeat in their nine games there, in which they conceded 24 goals.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:40

Shakhtar versus English teams

Shakhtar’s last games against Premier League opponents came in the 2019/20 group stage, when they lost 0-3 at home to Manchester City before a 1-1 away draw.

A 2-1 win at home to City in 2017/18 is Shakhtar’s only success in their last nine games against English clubs (D2 L6) – they have lost five of the last seven.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:35

Back in the Champions League

Having not featured in the Champions League proper between 2016/17 and 2023/24, Arsenal are making their second successive appearance.

This is the Gunners’ 21st Champions League campaign – second only to Manchester United’s 25 among English clubs – but only their second in eight seasons.

The 2016/17 season had been their 19th in a row, all under Arsene Wenger.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:30

Havertz or Henry?

Kai Havertz is looking to become the fourth Arsenal player – and first since Thierry Henry in 2000 – to score in a club-record eight successive home games.

(Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:25

Arsenal vs Shakhtar

This will be the fifth meeting between the sides in the Champions League. The first came back in September 2000, when Arsenal came from behind to prevail 3-2.

A late Martin Keown brace completed the turnaround.

Mike Jones22 October 2024 19:20


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