Match preview: Arsenal vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

Arsenal will face Shakhtar Donetsk in a crucial Champions League group stage clash, and both teams have injury concerns and selection decisions to consider.

Arsenal Team News: The Gunners have been in good form but are dealing with several key injuries. Star midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to miss the match due to a recurring muscle injury. Gabriel Martinelli is also a doubt, having picked up a minor knock in the previous fixture. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be without Jurrien Timber, who remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while Bukayo Saka is hopeful to return after nursing a hamstring strain.

No suspensions are currently affecting Arsenal, but Arteta may rotate his squad slightly to manage the team’s busy fixture list. This could see players like Leandro Trossard and Takehiro Tomiyasu pushing for starting roles.

Shakhtar Donetsk Team News: Shakhtar Donetsk, on the other hand, have a few concerns of their own. Key midfielder Mykola Matvienko is doubtful due to an ongoing muscle injury, and defender Valeriy Bondar is also a question mark for the match after picking up a knock in domestic action. The Ukrainian side will rely heavily on experienced forward Danylo Sikan and young talent Mykhaylo Mudryk to trouble Arsenal’s defense.

Shakhtar do not have any suspensions impacting their squad, allowing them to field their strongest available lineup.

Predicted XIs:

Arsenal (4-3-3):
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1):
Trubin; Konoplya, Bondar, Rakitskyi, Mykhailichenko; Stepanenko, Sudakov; Zubkov, Bondarenko, Mudryk; Sikan

Both teams will be looking to take all three points, with Arsenal eager to secure their place at the top of the group and Shakhtar hoping to pull off a surprise.

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