This was hardly the emphatic response to a weekend defeat Mikel Arteta would have envisaged.
Job done — but that’s as much as can be said, really. Dmytro Riznyk’s first-half own goal was enough to ensure Arsenal returned to winning ways after their surprise loss at Bournemouth.
But it should have been far more comfortable than this, particularly when you consider Leandro Trossard’s missed penalty.
Arteta will argue that a win is a win. He is right, of course.
Arsenal are firmly on track for qualification to the Champions League knockout stage thanks to this victory over Shakhtar Donetsk. Yet the manner of it will have done little to spark fear on Merseyside for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
Gabriel Martinelli’s low effort helped Arsenal take a 1-0 lead against Shakhtar Donetsk
The shot hit the upright before bouncing back into the net off goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk
Arsenal earned the victory to secure an immediate response to the loss against Bournemouth
Arsenal were wasteful. They created enough opportunities to win two matches here.
Arteta may view that as a positive. But they won’t have the same luxury against Virgil van Dijk and Co.
On another night, Shakhtar could have been on the receiving end of a hammering. Likewise, on another night, they could have left with a point. In defeat, the Ukrainians — whose nation continues to suffer turmoil — left north London with their heads held high.
They had to cope with a rapid Arsenal start. Riccardo Calafiori should have opened the scoring inside eight minutes from Trossard’s inswinging corner but blazed over.
Trossard squandered a few more opportunities before Calafiori forced Riznyk into a comfortable save as Arsenal sought the breakthrough.
The start may have encouraged Arteta after his side’s disappointment by the seaside, though Shakhtar did settle — Eguinaldo and Georgiy Sudakov catching the eye.
Eventually the Gunners took the lead their dominance warranted, though there was a touch of fortune about it.
Gabriel Martinelli had caused right back Yukhym Konoplia problems all night with his pace and directness before the Shakhtar defender finally succumbed, Martinelli cutting inside his opponent before firing a low shot that cannoned off a post, rebounded back off the unknowing Riznyk and agonisingly rolled over the line.
Arsenal were awarded a penalty with Valeriy Bondar adjudged to have handled a cross
Leandro Trossard stepped up from the spot with the chance to double Arsenal’s lead
Trossard’s effort was kept out by the diving Riznyk who gave Shakhtar hope of a fightback
Arsenal boss Miekl Arteta would have been frustrated by his side’s wastefulness in front of goal
The manner of the goal was luckless from a Shakhtar point of view. But they could have no complaints — even their most ardent supporter would concede Arsenal deserved their lead.
Mykola Matviyenko produced a brilliant clearance from inside his own six-yard box to deny Kai Havertz a goal after good work from Jesus, who missed a glorious chance of his own in the dying embers of the first half.
The ideal scenario for Arteta, ahead of Sunday’s huge visit of the Premier League leaders, would have been to rest a clutch of his first-team players.
The jeopardy in the game meant Arteta could not execute his plan, though Ben White was taken off at the break for midfielder Mikel Merino in a move that saw Thomas Partey switch to right back.
Arsenal picked up where they left off, Trossard wasteful again — nodding a free header from Martinelli’s cross wide of the far post in the opening two minutes of the second half.
You couldn’t help but wonder if all of those missed chances would come back to bite Arsenal, though their control of the game at this juncture appeared to make such a twist nigh on impossible.
Riznyk denied Martinelli in the 53rd minute before Trossard fired an effort narrowly wide moments later.
Every indication was that Arsenal’s second goal was in the offing — but Eguinaldo firing straight at Gabriel Magalhaes with the goal to aim at following Trossard’s poor back pass served as a warning. And all of a sudden there was tension in the air. A comfortable night had become a jittery one.
Arsenal were dealt a blow after Calafiori required lengthy treatment on a knee injury
The defender was forced to limp off the field to add to concerns ahead of a trip to Anfield
David Raya was called into action in the closing stages as Arsenal held on to their narrow lead
Arteta will now turn his attentions to Arsenal’s crucial clash against Liverpool on Sunday
Shakhtar, out of nowhere, had found some rhythm. Arsenal appeared anxious. The groans and gasps from the home crowd were more audible.
To add to the fans’ anxiety, Calafiori required lengthy treatment on a knee injury following a tangle with Eguinaldo, before limping off.
Arsenal were gifted a golden opportunity to ease the nerves thanks to what looked a soft VAR call — Valeriy Bondar, under pressure from Trossard, was judged to have handled the ball in the box. The Belgian stepped up only to see his effort saved by Riznyk.
Shakhtar, buoyed by their goalkeeper’s heroics, threw everything at Arsenal, who frantically cleared their lines.
In the end Arsenal were indebted to David Raya, who produced a brilliant save from Kevin’s thunderbolt from distance in stoppage time as Arsenal held on. Just.
