Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk predicted XIs: Team news and probable line-ups | OneFootball

It’s Matchday Three in the Champions League and Arsenal currently find themselves outside the top-eight in the table, despite being unbeaten.

The Gunners have four points from their opening two matches and on Tuesday night they will expect to beat a Shakhtar Donetsk team who are still looking for their first win in the new format.

The pair will clash at the Emirates (20:00) in a game that will be live to watch in the UK on Amazon Prime.

Focus required for Arteta’s Arsenal

Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth was the big story of the Premier League weekend, as the Gunners slipped further off the pace in the title battle.

With both Manchester City and Liverpool collecting maximum points, Mikel Arteta’s men are now four points off top spot.

With a huge home game against the league leaders on Sunday, it would be easy for Arsenal to take their eye off the ball in the Champions League.

That would be dangerous though against a Shakhtar team that are experienced at competing at this level.

They did beat Arsenal 2-1 the last time the two sides met, back in 2010, but they don’t possess that strength in depth anymore and the hosts should take care of business.

Arteta will be tempted to make several changes to freshen up the team after that weekend defeat and with Liverpool to come.

You have to go back to mid-April for the last time the Gunners lost a competitive match on home turf and they should have too much for the visitors on Tuesday.

Team News

Arsenal are still missing Martin Odegaard, who is continuing his rehabilitation from an ankle injury suffered on international duty back in September.

Arteta will make a late decision on the fitness of Bukayo Saka, who missed the game at Bournemouth due to a hamstring problem.

Jurrien Timber also missed out at the Vitality Stadium, but should be available to feature following a muscle injury sustained in the 2-0 win over PSG in the last round of European fixtures.

William Saliba seems certain to start, as he will be unavailable to face Liverpool on Sunday after his red card against the Cherries.

Shakhtar are expected to stick with the majority of the side that won 1-0 away to Kolos Kovalivka on Friday.

That means former Ajax forward Lassina Traore could start on the bench, with coach Marino Pusic expected to stick with Brazilian striker Eguinaldo.

Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted XIs

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Jorginho, Merino; Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz.