Prediction: Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

After their Premier League unbeaten streak was snapped, Arsenal will aim to preserve their unbeaten run in the Champions League when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

The Gunners have collected four points from their first two matches in this revamped edition of the competition, while Shakhtar Donetsk find themselves outside the top 24 in the league phase standings.

Arsenal

Arsenal their usual red kit on Saturday evening against Bournemouth, debuting their third, but they still saw red on the South Coast. William Saliba became the third Arsenal player to be sent off this season, dismissed for a last-man foul. His departure was followed by a well-executed corner routine finished by Ryan Christie and a penalty confidently converted by Justin Kluivert. Arsenal endured a frustrating evening, compounded by Gabriel Martinelli’s missed chance before Christie’s opener.

The 2-0 defeat cost Arsenal the chance to temporarily top the Premier League standings. However, a prime opportunity to bounce back awaits before their crucial match against title rivals Liverpool next weekend.

In the Champions League, Arsenal followed a fortunate goalless draw against Atalanta with a deserved 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on matchday two. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both took advantage of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s questionable goalkeeping to score in the first half.

Currently 13th in the League Phase standings, Arsenal could secure three consecutive Champions League clean sheets for the first time since November 2007. Additionally, they have not lost a non-knockout home game in the competition since September 2015.

Team News

Despite early optimism that Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury would heal in time for the Bournemouth match, the assist leader was absent and remains a major doubt for the game against Shakhtar Donetsk. Jurrien Timber, who impressed against PSG, is in a similar situation with a muscular issue, while Martin Odegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) are confirmed absentees. However, Odegaard has a slim chance of returning in time for the Liverpool clash.

Saliba’s red card from the weekend doesn’t affect his Champions League eligibility, and Mikel Arteta is practically certain to name the France defender to start. Thomas Partey or Declan Rice could be given a rest, with the Liverpool clash in mind.

Shakhtar Donetsk

While Arsenal narrowly held off Atalanta on the opening Champions League matchday—thanks largely to David Raya’s goalkeeping heroics—Shakhtar Donetsk were unable to stop the reigning Europa League champions in their last European outing.

Marino Pusic’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta, led by an Ademola Lookman masterclass. Lookman assisted Berat Djimsiti before scoring himself in the first half, with Raoul Bellanova adding a third early in the second half.

Shakhtar’s heavy loss followed an uninspiring goalless draw against Bologna on matchday one. Both Shakhtar and Bologna, along with RB Salzburg and BSC Young Boys, are still waiting for their first goal of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

However, Pusic’s men have bounced back domestically, securing consecutive wins in the Ukrainian Premier League – thrashing LNZ Cherkasy 5-1 and narrowly beating Kolos Kovalivka 1-0, thanks to an own goal by Ilir Krasniqi. But despite this upturn in form, Shakhtar’s inconsistent start leaves them fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League. Their previous two visits to Arsenal have ended in defeat, including a 5-1 loss in 2010, where former Gunner Eduardo scored their lone goal.

Team News

Shakhtar are set to arrive at the Emirates with a nearly fully-fit squad, with their only injury concern being fourth-choice goalkeeper Tymur Puzankov, who is still recovering from an ACL injury.

At the heart of their team will be Georgiy Sudakov, the 22-year-old midfield maestro who has been linked with Arsenal. Sudakov has enjoyed an impressive start to the domestic season, recording seven goals and two assists in nine Ukrainian Premier League matches.

Danylo Sikan is also a strong contender to replace Eguinaldo in the attack. The 23-year-old has been directly involved in four of Shakhtar’s last seven away goals in the Champions League, with three goals and an assist.

Conclusion

Even a heavily rotated Arsenal side shouldn’t have too many problems winning this game, quite convincingly at that. It should do a lot to improve the mood at the Emirates following the Bournemouth defeat, an important opportunity to lift their spirits before they welcome Liverpool.

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Betfair