Arsenal player ratings vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Wasteful Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus ensure nervy Champions League night for Mikel Arteta as uninspiring Gunners sneak narrow win

Arsenal edged past Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the Champions League, but needed an own goal from keeper Dmytro Riznyk to claim the win on a night when missed chances and injury concerns took centre stage in north London.

The hosts dominated the majority of the contest and looked set for a comfortable success when Gabriel Martinelli’s shot came back off the post and deflected in off the unfortunate Riznyk just before the half-hour mark.

But they wasted several chances to put the game to bed, with Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus both guilty of poor misses before the break, while Leandro Trossard saw a weak penalty saved after the interval.

The hosts survived a nervy final few minutes to make it seven points from a possible nine so far in Europe, but Mikel Arteta’s injury-hit squad lost Calafiori to a worrying looking knee injury with Sunday’s crucial meeting with Liverpool looming large.

GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from the Emirates Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  David Raya (7/10):

  Had very little to do on the night, but was alert in the dying seconds to make a vital save to deny Pedrinho.

  Ben White (5/10):

  Replaced by Merino at half-time. Didn’t look 100 percent fit and was on a booking, which might explain the substitution.

  William Saliba (7/10):

  A fairly comfortable night’s work after his red card at the weekend. Never really put under pressure.

  Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

  Looked to defend on the front foot as always. Made a couple of important blocks.

  Riccardo Calafiori (7/10):

  Missed a golden early chance to open the scoring. Got forward well at times and linked up with Martinelli. Went off injured in the second half after appearing to twist his knee. Worrying for Arsenal.

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    Midfield

    Thomas Partey (8/10):

    The dominant player on the pitch in the first half, both with the ball and without it. Getting back to his very best, which is a good sign. Moved to right-back for the second half after White went off.

    Declan Rice (7/10):

    Looked to drive forward when he could. Had a couple of sights on goal he could maybe have done better with. Played some nice cross-field passes.

    Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):

    Bright on the left and is unlucky that the first goal will not be credited to him after it went in off the keeper. Arsenal’s stand-out attacker.

    Gabriel Jesus (6/10):

    Should have scored just before half-time and you could see that miss weighed heavily on his shoulders. Played OK aside from that. Got on the ball a lot playing on the right wing and caused Shakhtar problems.

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    Attack

    Leandro Trossard (6/10):

    Buzzed around all night and caused problems with his pressing. Had some nice touches and glanced one header just wide early in the second half. Really poor penalty late on, which summed up Arsenal’s night in front of goal.

    Kai Havertz (6/10):

    Unable to score for the eighth successive home game. Worked hard, but didn’t really get a chance all night. It was a surprise not to see him take the penalty.

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    Subs & Manager

    Mikel Merino (6/10):

    On for White at half-time. Made a few important blocks defensively, offered very little in attack.

    Raheem Sterling (5/10):

    Couldn’t really get into the game. Little impact.

    Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):

    Replaced the injured Calafiori.

    Jorginho (N/A):

    On for the final few minutes.

    Mikel Arteta (6/10):

    Made a couple of changes to his starting XI but resisted the urge to bring in Ethan Nwaneri. Could have brought on the youngster at half-time, but went for Merino instead. His team lacked spark in the central areas as a result.