LONDON, OCT 23 – Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal were ‘fatigued’ after an own goal from Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk gave the Gunners a 1-0 win in the Champions League yesterday.
Arteta’s side lost 2-0 against the Cherries in the Premier League last weekend. It was Arsenal’s first defeat in all competitions since the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in April.
Their response to Shakhtar was unconvincing, but they did just enough to grab the three points thanks to a first-half own goal from Gabriel Martinelli.
Leandro Trossard missed a penalty kick at the Emirates Stadium.
“It’s always difficult in the Champions League. We should have scored more goals in the first half and in the second half I felt a bit tired,” said Arteta.
“Credit to Shakhtar, they are brave. When you give them time on the ball and you lose the ball, you get it.
“Playing 60 minutes with 10 players a few days ago was difficult. We left the game quite open but we managed to score three points,” he added.
Disappointed that Trossard took the penalty instead of Kai Havertz, Arteta added: “I don’t know. He was one of those who took the penalty but it was Leo who took it.”
Worryingly for Arteta, Riccardo Calafiori was forced off in the second half after appearing to suffer a knee injury which will add to the absence of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber.
Arteta is already without suspended France defender William Saliba for Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool.
“Saka still hasn’t trained so he won’t be able to play and Calafiori is still a doubt. So, there is a bit of concern,” said Arteta.
Arsenal took control of the game before their serendipitous opener in the 29th minute when Martinelli threatened the Shakhtar defense by bursting inside to shoot a low shot that hit the post and bounced across the back of Riznyk.
Trossard took the penalty but his effort was easily saved by Riznyk which was a mistake that frustrated Arsenal. – AFP
