Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk predictions: Shot-shy Shakhtar in trouble

Enda McElhinney

Spotlight

Arsenal were beaten for the first time this seasaon at the weekend and Mikel Arteta will want a response

- Arsenal have not conceded in two Champions League games
- Shakhtar Donetsk have yet to score after two games
- Recommended bet: Arsenal/Arsenal half time/full time

Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side had their first blip of the season on Saturday as they went down to Bournemouth but they should fancy their chances of bouncing back in some style against a limited Shakhtar Donetsk side in the Champions League.

Shakhtar are one of just four sides in the 36-strong Champions League group stage without a goal, while Arsenal are one of six teams yet to have conceded after two games.

Fortunate to collect a point in Italy against Atalanta on matchday one, Arsenal made no mistake at home to Paris Saint-Germain last time.

Shakhtar held Bologna scoreless in their opener but they came up well short against Atalanta most recently, losing 3-0.

The latest Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Arteta is once more sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka after his hamstring problem saw him miss the weekend loss at Bournemouth. With Liverpool looming at the weekend, the England attacker may not be risked from the start in any case.

Jurrien Timber also remains a doubt while the hosts are still missing the likes of Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee). William Saliba was sent off at the Vitality Stadium but will be eligible to play in the Champions League.

Shakhtar boss Marino Pusic meanwhile looks to have a full deck to deal from following Friday's win over Kolos Kovalivka, with long-term absentee Tymur Puzankov (ACL) the only confirmed absentee.

Marino Pusic has seen Shakhtar Donetsk draw 0-0 at Bologna and lose 3-0 against Atalanta in their opening two games.

The stats

Arsenal are one of six teams in the Champions League yet to concede a goal this season.

Shakhtar are one of four teams in the competition without a goal to their name after two games.

The home team has won all four previous meetings between these clubs.

Both teams have scored in three of the four previous meetings.

Shakhtar Donetsk have had both the fewest shots overall (10) and shots on target (1) after two Champions League games.

The latest Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Following their weekend disappointment on the south coast, Arsenal could scarcely ask for a better bounce-back opportunity than facing a tepid Shakhtar side at the Emirates.

These sides last met in 2010-11 in this competition and Shakhtar are not the force they once were.

That is evidenced in their two games against Bologna and Atalanta, where they have tallied only one shot on target.

Pusic's side have strung together back-to-back wins in the Ukrainian top flight since their last European defeat, though it took an own-goal on Friday night.

They are unlikely to get much help from an Arsenal rearguard that has been resolute and had mitigation at Bournemouth when Saliba was sent off in the first half.

Arteta will demand a response on Tuesday and that should see the Gunners lead at half time — as they have in five of six Emirates games this season — before going on to win.

Back Arsenal/Arsenal half time/full time at 4/11 with LiveScore Bet.