Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Player ratings as Gunners struggle to Champions League win

Arsenal secured back-to-back wins in the Champions League league phase, but they were made to work for their 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

There was once again no Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber in Mikel Arteta's matchday squad as the boss opted to include Gabriel Jesus, who captained the Gunners on the night.

Riccardo Calafiori should've handed the hosts the perfect start when the loose ball from a Leandro Trossard left-footed inswinging corner fell at his feet, but the Italian blazed over from close range.

Arsenal then enjoyed periods of sterile domination while mitigating the threat down Shakhtar's left-hand side from Brazilian duo Pedrinho and Eguinaldo. Ben White had his issues against the latter.

The Gunners' pressure eventually told in a rather fortuitous way as Gabriel Martinelli's effort after cutting infield hit the post and rebounded into the net via the unsuspecting Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk. Arsenal then should've doubled their lead before the break, but a superb Mykola Matviyenko clearance and smart Riznyk save to deny Jesus ensured the score remained 1-0 at half-time.

There was a brief flurry after half-time for Arteta's side, but they failed to double their advantage and they started to sit in somewhat with Shakhtar growing in confidence. The visitors, though, struggled to make the most of the moments Arsenal handed to them in transition.

The Gunners were quite literally handed an opportunity to double their lead after VAR intervened and adjudged Valeriy Bondar to have handled Mikel Merino's cross, but Leandro Trossard had his penalty saved by Riznyk to set up a nervy finale in N5.

It was a messy conclusion as Arsenal attempted to see out the game, but Shakhtar pushed late on and threatened David Raya's goal. However, the Spaniard held firm and preserved the Gunners' victory - an unconvincing one, albeit.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Tuesday's Champions League win.

Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6/10 - Shakhtar were in the game for the duration, but they failed to test Raya between the sticks until the very end.

Ben White (RB) - 4/10 - Still doesn't look quite right having returned from injury at the weekend. Shakhtar's joy in the first half came down White's side, who lethargic and off the pace as a result. Withdrawn at half-time.

William Saliba (CB) - 6.5/10 - A stable showing from Saliba, even if the two centre-backs had a miscommunication or two when defending the long ball. The Frenchman was not troubled.

Gabriel (CB) - 7/10 - Popped up with a couple of big moments in the Arsenal box to prevent Raya from being tested. Not his busiest night, but retained his focus throughout.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7/10 - There will be concerns over the knee injury sustained by the Italian ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool. Calafiori's aggression paid dividends in the first-half, with his overlapping run playing a key role in Arsenal's opener.

Continued on the next slide...