By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-29 18:11:43 | Updated at 2024-10-30 19:31:26
1 week ago
Hello and welcome to coverage from the Champions League as Arsenal host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates.
The Premier League side were shocked by Saturday as they slipped to 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth. William Saliba became the third Arsenal player to be sent off this season and leading to questions about their discipline.
“We cannot continue to play with 10 men, easier to say it then to get it done in the specific moment,” Arteta told reporters on Monday.
“Reacting (after) we had a defeat (but under) very specific conditions. Let’s move on, take that pain we have and use it tomorrow night.
“We need to eradicate the issue (of red cards), it’s clear. The reasons, how - it doesn’t matter. We have to focus.”
Shakhtar are winless in their Champions League campaign after a goalless draw at Bologna and a 3-0 loss to Atalanta. The team have had to adjust to playing on the road, having moved out of Donetsk a decade ago after pro-Russian separatists seized large areas of the region.
Early in September, two days before they were scheduled to play Kryvbas in the domestic league, their hotel was hit by a Russian missile.
The team left the capital on Friday, stopping for a day to train in Lviv in the west of the country before setting off around midday on Sunday for Rzeszow, from where they flew to London.
“This is a fact,” said Pushych. “We face these, I wouldn’t call them problems. In general, it is unbelievable how we have to travel for these away matches.
“In fact, I have to say that we play all matches away from home, let’s start with that, unfortunately. Yes, we drove for 13 hours, it is a very difficult move that takes a lot of time and energy.
“At the same time, we are a very motivated team and we are mentally ready. So, despite all these circumstances, we did not come here to complain. This is simply a fact that, unfortunately, we constantly face.”
