Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar: Key Stats from a Tight Win
Arsenal edged out Shakhtar Donetsk in a thrilling pre-season friendly, but it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Gunners. Here's a look at some key stats from the match.
A Tense Affair
While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the match was far from a stroll in the park for Arsenal. Shakhtar proved to be tough opponents, making things pretty tight throughout the game. The Gunners had a whopping 73% possession, but only managed 10 shots on target.
Gabriel Jesus: The Difference Maker
The Brazilian striker continued his pre-season hot streak, scoring the game's only goal in the 56th minute. He's been on fire, and this goal showcases his ability to find the back of the net in tight situations. He's definitely looking like the real deal.
Defensive Solidity
It wasn't just about the offense, though. Arsenal's backline was solid, keeping a clean sheet and limiting Shakhtar to just a handful of chances. It's a promising sign for a team that needs to be defensively sound if they want to challenge for titles.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half saw a lot of possession for Arsenal, but they couldn't really crack Shakhtar's defense. They had to dig deep in the second half, finally getting the goal through Jesus. The second half showed a more ruthless Arsenal, and that's what they'll need to do if they want to take the next step.
Looking Ahead
This win is a good confidence boost for Arsenal. It was a tough test against a decent team, and they came out on top. But, there's still plenty of room for improvement. The key now is to maintain this momentum and build on this solid performance as they head towards the new season.
Key Stats:
- Possession: Arsenal 73%, Shakhtar 27%
- Shots on target: Arsenal 10, Shakhtar 3
- Corners: Arsenal 8, Shakhtar 3
- Passes: Arsenal 587, Shakhtar 209
Overall, Arsenal's 1-0 win over Shakhtar was a positive result, even if it was a bit of a slog at times. The team showed resilience and grit, and that bodes well for the upcoming season.