A first-half own goal from visiting goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk was enough to give Arsenal a narrow 1-0 home win, and maintain our unbeaten start to the league phase in the Champions League.
Martinelli created the only goal, it was his low shot that cannoned back off the post and in off the goalkeeper.
Riznyk was involved again in the second-half, saving a penalty from Leandro Trossard and the Gunners needed a full-stretch, flying save from David Raya in injury-time to secure the win.
Gabriel Jesus was one of two players – along with Martinelli – brought back into the side after the defeat at Bournemouth, and the captain for the night carved out Arsenal’s first chance.
Starting on the right wing, Jesus dropped his shoulder to beat Yukhym Konoplia, sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard but it was intercepted ahead of the lurking Kai Havertz.
On the half hour Arsenal took the lead, and although Martinelli was the instigator, it will go down as an own goal. Declan Rice passed to Martinelli in the box, who was fronted up by a couple of Shakhtar defenders.
The Brazilian shifted the ball onto his right foot, got his shot away that hit the base of the post, rebounded off the grounded Riznyk’s back, and into the net.It was unfortunate for the Shakhtar goalkeeper, but Martinelli deserved the goal for his composure in the area.
In the final 20 minutes Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, for a handball against Valeriy Bondar, who used his arm to block Merino’s cross from the left.
Trossard was the man who stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort was straight down the middle and kept out by Riznyk’s feet as he dived to his left.
It was the first penalty Arsenal missed at home since December 2021, and the first they haven’t converted anywhere after scoring their last 11.
