Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Champions League Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

Arsenal will look to rebound from their first defeat of the season when they face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Gunners experienced a setback with a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth over the weekend, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race. However, Arsenal has maintained an unbeaten record in the Champions League this season and will aim to continue that streak against the Ukrainian visitors at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s Recent Form and Challenges

The loss to Bournemouth was especially frustrating as defender William Saliba was sent off in the first half, marking the club’s third red card in the Premier League this season. This trend of disciplinary issues is concerning for Arteta, but Arsenal remains strong in European competition. They opened their Champions League campaign with a goalless draw against Atalanta, followed by a commanding 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

In the Bournemouth game, Arsenal was without Bukayo Saka, who missed out due to an injury sustained on international duty. His absence was felt, as the Gunners struggled to create chances against a resilient Bournemouth defense. Saka remains a doubt for Tuesday’s fixture, and Arteta may have to rely on other attacking options. Additionally, Martin Ødegaard, Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are unavailable, further limiting Arsenal’s squad depth. Jurrien Timber is also doubtful with a lingering thigh issue.

Despite the setback, Arsenal’s European journey so far has been promising. They will look to build on their strong performance against PSG and aim for three more points to cement their position at the top of the group.

Predicted Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Raya
• Defense: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
• Midfield: Rice, Jorginho, Havertz
• Attack: Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli

The absence of several key players could see fringe players like Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori given opportunities to shine. Gabriel Jesus, fresh from scoring in recent matches, will be pivotal in leading the attack alongside Gabriel Martinelli. The backline should see William Saliba retain his place, as his Premier League suspension doesn’t apply to Champions League matches.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Journey and Key Players

Shakhtar Donetsk will approach the fixture aiming to improve their European record after a mixed start to their campaign. They managed a draw in their opening group match but suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the following game. Domestically, they have fared better, recently securing a 1-0 victory over Kolos Kovalivka and a 5-1 win against LNZ Cherkasy.

The Ukrainian side has a few standout players to watch, including Georgiy Sudakov and Artem Bondarenko. Sudakov has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, in recent transfer windows. Tuesday’s game could serve as a platform for the young midfielder to impress potential suitors. Bondarenko, another emerging talent, has been productive in the Ukrainian Premier League, contributing six combined goals and assists this season.

Shakhtar comes into this game with few injury concerns, allowing them to field a strong lineup. Their goal will be to frustrate Arsenal and capitalize on any mistakes, although they have shown defensive vulnerabilities, especially in the defeat to Atalanta.

Predicted Shakhtar Donetsk Lineup (3-4-2-1)

• Goalkeeper: Riznyk
• Defense: Bondar, Ghram, Matviyenko
• Midfield: Gomes, Kryskiv, Stepanenko, Henrique
• Attack: Bondarenko, Sudakov; Sikan

Shakhtar’s 3-4-2-1 formation gives them defensive solidity while allowing creative freedom for Sudakov and Bondarenko. Up front, Danylo Sikan will aim to cause problems for Arsenal’s defenders with his pace and movement.

Tactical Breakdown

Arsenal’s attacking philosophy under Arteta emphasizes ball possession and rapid transitions from defense to attack. When playing at home, they tend to dominate possession and press high to recover the ball quickly. The midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Jorginho offers both stability and the ability to control the tempo of the game. Arsenal will look to exploit the flanks, with players like Martinelli and Sterling expected to stretch the pitch and create space in central areas.

However, the Gunners must be cautious in transition. Shakhtar’s quick attackers, particularly Bondarenko and Sudakov, thrive on counter-attacking situations. If Arsenal overcommits going forward, they risk being caught out defensively. Shakhtar’s defensive weaknesses could be exposed by Arsenal’s fluid attack, but the visitors are capable of springing a surprise if they remain compact and disciplined.

Key Battles

• Saliba vs. Sikan: Saliba’s role in containing Sikan will be crucial. If the Arsenal defender can keep Shakhtar’s striker quiet, it will severely limit the visitors’ attacking threat.
• Rice vs. Stepanenko: The midfield battle will be pivotal, with Rice and Stepanenko both tasked with breaking up play and initiating attacks for their respective sides.
• Martinelli vs. Matviyenko: Matviyenko’s ability to handle the pace and trickery of Martinelli could determine whether Shakhtar can keep Arsenal at bay.

Score Prediction

While Arsenal’s recent defeat to Bournemouth may have dented their momentum, their overall form this season has been solid. As long as they avoid any disciplinary lapses that have plagued them in domestic competition, the Gunners should have enough firepower to secure a comfortable victory.

Shakhtar has shown defensive frailties, particularly against high-quality opposition like Atalanta. Although they possess talented individuals capable of troubling Arsenal, it is unlikely that they will keep the home side quiet for 90 minutes. Arsenal’s depth, even with some key players missing, should be sufficient to overcome the Ukrainian outfit.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

This fixture offers Arsenal a chance to reaffirm their European credentials and restore confidence after a domestic setback. With Liverpool looming on the weekend, Arteta may rotate his squad, but the Gunners are expected to have enough quality to secure three points. Shakhtar’s hopes will hinge on defensive resilience and clinical counter-attacks, but a positive result for the visitors seems unlikely given Arsenal’s strength at home.