Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal managed to hold on for a narrow 1-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, though the Gunners’ boss admitted his team “suffered” in the second half.
The 42-year-old Spaniard acknowledged that Arsenal struggled to maintain control as the game wore on, even though they secured the win. David Raya was the star of the night, pulling off several crucial saves in the final minutes to keep the team ahead, a much-needed boost after their weekend disappointment in the Premier League.
Despite the tense finish, with Leandro Trossard missing a penalty and Shakhtar pushing hard for an equalizer, Raya stayed solid, ensuring Arsenal’s win.
When asked about Trossard’s missed penalty and whether it reflected the team’s shaky second-half, Arteta admitted to Amazon Prime Video Sport: “Probably. I’m not sure if it was down to fatigue or what we’ve been through lately, but it’s true.”
He also gave credit to Shakhtar, saying: “They’re a strong team, and under the circumstances they play in, they want to play and are brave. If you give them too much time on the ball and lose possession in the wrong areas, you’re going to suffer.”
Overall, Arteta was pleased with the result, stating: “It’s always tough in the Champions League. We could’ve scored more in the first half, but by the second half, I felt we were a bit fatigued. Playing 60 minutes with 10 men a few days ago was hard, and we left the game open at times, but we fought hard and got the three points.”