Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted tiredness played a part as the Gunners stumbled to a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk to continue their unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign.

Gabriel Martinelli’s first half strike found the net via the back of visiting keeper Dmytro Riznyk to seal the points on the night, although some late nerves might have seen the Ukrainian Premier League champions snatch a draw at the death after Leandro Trossard's penalty was saved.

“I think two very different halves," said Arteta.

"The first one where we were very dominant and created four big chances. We should have converted them and put the game to bed with the amount of dominance and territory that we had.

“The second half was very different. We looked tired. We lacked that sharpness with and without the ball to regain the ball in the right areas and in the right moments.

"We gave certain balls away, which allowed certain transitions. We had two big chances again and missed a big penalty. It was an emotional game.

“It was difficult to overcome, and then we had to dig in, but credit to them. They are a good side.

"The moment you allow them space to finish actions, and you give them the chance to run, they are a real threat. Overall, it’s the Champions League - get the win, clean sheet. Let’s move on.”

And Arteta provided an update on the fitness of Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, citing Saturday’s experience in the 2-0 loss at Bournemouth as a reason as to why the former was hooked at half-time.

“Ben - it was my decision to take him out. He had a yellow card. We have played enough with ten men in recent periods," he added.

"They had a lot of density on that side and a lot of attacking players on that side. I didn’t want to take any chances there.

“With Riccy, it was something different. He had to come off. He felt something. I don’t know the extent of that, but it’s not great news.”

With Liverpool up next for Arsenal on Sunday, Arteta was asked about how he plans to re-energise his side after another evening of injury woes.

“We played two and a half days ago after coming from internationals after flying from Brazil and many countries, so I was expecting that we could drop off a little bit," he said.

"The fact that we put so much into the first half, and we didn’t convert and get the distance in terms of the result and scoreline, I think we paid a little bit for that.

“We made life more difficult for us because we started to give the ball away and not regain the ball in the right areas. It was more open, so that didn’t help. But we have now four days.

“Believe me, on Sunday we will be flying.”

The Gunners face off against Arne Slot’s side at the Emirates in a crucial Premier League clash on Sunday before travelling to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup the following Wednesday.