Arsenal have little time to bounce back from their Premier League loss to Bournemouth as they face Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s men tasted their first loss of the season this weekend, but after receiving tonnes of criticism, they have a good chance to improve their standing in the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners are lodged in the 13th spot in the league standings after securing a clinical 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in their second European encounter. However, Shakhtar have just one point in two games as they got thrashed by Italian outfit Atalanta in their last game.
Champions League nights in N5 ✨ pic.twitter.com/wrMcMlPjAS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 21, 2024
Both sides had a different start to the season, with the home side enjoying more success in comparison to their counterparts. The visitors are yet to kick into gear in the domestic league and lay at fourth place in the table.
CURRENT FORM IN ALL COMPETITIONS:
Arsenal: L, W, W, W, W
Shakhtar Donetsk: W, W, L, D, W
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Both sides have rarely faced each other, with just four games played between them—all in the Champions League. Shakhtar last avenged a 2-1 defeat at their home turf vs. Arsenal in November 2010.
The team playing at home has been the most comfortable side in all of their four previous encounters. Hence, both teams have won two games each.
💬 “It’s Martin Keown again and Arsenal have won it!”
Two late goals from our centre-back helped us to a 3-2 win over Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2000 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/yHDoUiHijY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 21, 2024
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The Gunners last victory over the Ukrainian side came in October 2010, as they displayed a dominant 5-1 thrashing in a CL group stage match. Once again, we expect this match to be a close call, but Arteta’s side will be confident of turning the results in their favour.
TEAM NEWS:
We expect Bukayo Saka to be rested as he recovers from his hamstring issues. The club will not risk him on Tuesday since they also face a tricky game against Liverpool a few days later.
Raheem Sterling should be given the nod ahead of the Academy graduate. Ben White will be preferred ahead of Jurrien Timber, who has returned to training. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz will also start after escaping injury scares.
Oleksandr Zinchenko remains close to returning to action. However, Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. William Saliba will be present in the starting XI, as his red card doesn’t count in European competitions.
Meanwhile, Shakhtar will be excited to welcome back Danylo Sikan after he suffered a broken nose, and the prolific goal scorer could replace Eguinaldo upfront. Keeper Tymur Puzankov won’t return anytime soon as he struggles with a knee ailment.
OUR PREDICTION:
We believe that the North London outfit will saunter to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Marino Pusic’s side on Tuesday. The visitors poor display vs. Atalanta and their inconsistent domestic form is a worrying sign.
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Still, Arteta and his men won’t take them for granted and will aim for a win here to further improve their position in the Champions League group table.
