Arsenal’s European Cup hopes would neither live nor die by this result, but they suffered a heavy three-point defeat that still marks them as a major step towards extending their campaign beyond January. They had enough chances to edge out Shakhtar Donetsk and then braced themselves for a difficult finale when Dmytro Riznyk saved Leandro Trossard’s 79th-minute penalty.

Ultimately it was Riznyk whose own goal in the first half, which he knew little about, settled matters and Shakhtar remained admirably competitive throughout. Mikel Arteta will now focus on the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who left the field apparently unwell 20 minutes from time.

As this new, sprawling Champions League format enters its winding middle phase, it was tempting to wonder what exactly was at stake for Arsenal. Arteta was rarely asked about the game itself in his pre-match press conference; They still have plenty of time to safely get out of the 36-man group. But he was vexed by the impact of Saturday’s controversial defeat against Bournemouth, and perhaps that was his motivation: to back down a bit before the altogether more consequential game against Liverpool this Sunday.

Shakhtar’s visit at least presented a story of real significance. Their consistent performance at this level is a marvel, and the way they have simultaneously taken on the role of their country’s international ambassador since Russia’s horrific invasion is an inspiration. Any result here would amount to a triumph and they were cheered by 3,000 fans in an away game draped with Ukrainian flags.

For Shakhtar, there was always the danger that even if Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka had not yet returned, Arsenal could get the job done quickly if they showed up at full pace. The quick start went as expected and shortly after Gabriel Jesus brought the ball into the center just behind Trossard, the Belgian’s corner landed on Calafiori. The goal was at his mercy, but eight yards from goal he threw a spoon over it and the early storm subsided.

Left winger Eguinaldo gave a glimpse of what could happen if Arsenal let up, picking Ben White in the pocket and focusing on the penalty area but seeing his opponent recover to avert a real threat.

In the 16th minute, after a clever advance from Pedro Henrique, he managed a shot that bounced behind Gabriel Magalhães. Arsenal remained honest, although at the other end Trossard missed the target after a clever assist from Kai Havertz and then fired a cross from Martinelli wide.

Arsenal were barely at their best by now and as the half-hour approached Shakhtar could be content that the game was slipping. Only minor gear changes were required to move the dial.

Declan Rice fed Martinelli on the left and, with a characteristic move inside right-back Yukhym Konoplia, his stretched shot hit the base of the near post. The ball bounced straight off the unfortunate Riznyk, curled in and breathed some life into the previously half-engaged home crowd.

A second goal would certainly take away any appeal from the rest of the game, Havertz sniffed for it but saw that Riznyk was clear. It was only at the break that a heroic intervention from Mykola Matviyenko came through when Havertz seemed certain to convert, and shortly before the final whistle Riznyk cleverly parried against Jesus.

Arteta withdrew White at half-time, who had received a yellow card and did not appear to be at his best. Mikel Merino came on as a substitute, Thomas Partey moved to right-back; The traffic flow hardly changed, Trossard failed with a shot from Martinelli at the far post.

Riznyk, who was hardly to blame for the opening goal, contrived a somewhat self-inflicted problem with the ball at his feet in the 53rd minute, but managed to keep out Martinelli and looked more confident shortly afterwards when he blocked a shot from the same player.

Shakhtar, who had no chance to build despite having the chance to build, got their best opening yet through a sloppy pass from Trossard that required a potentially goal-saving block from Eguinaldo’s Gabriel. They were still in the game and began probing further up the pitch. Even without attacking the goal, they ensured that Arsenal, who repeatedly made mistakes, could not look completely relaxed into the final phase.

There were major concerns when Calafiori, who appeared to have suffered a knee injury, was unable to continue and was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly. Moments later, Arsenal had a chance to dampen any uncertainty of the evening when a VAR review concluded Valeriy Bondar had blocked Merino’s cross with his outstretched arm.

Trossard was tasked with making sure of that, but Riznyk got the comeuppance he deserved by using his back leg to save a poor penalty aimed down the middle. Shakhtar, now clearly full of options, came closest in stoppage time when David Raya made a full-strength save from Pedrinho. They might be proud, but for Arsenal this was another league game to tick off.