Arsenal fans call out Mikel Arteta for 'disaster' decision in Shakhtar Donetsk game that could ruin their entire season

Arsenal fans were less than impressed with a decision made by manager Mikel Arteta during their 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

An unfortunate first half own goal from Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk was enough to separate the two sides at the Emirates Stadium.

Leandro Trossard missed a 77th-minute penalty for Arteta's side, who are now on seven points from their opening three Champions League group stage games.

But while only five teams are ahead of the Gunners in the table ahead of Wednesday's fixtures, there was a fresh concern for Arteta and the rest of his Arsenal side.

During the second half, Riccardo Calafiori went down injured with what appeared to be a twisted knee.

Although he initially carried on, the Italian soon signalled to the bench and was taken off.

If Calafiori is forced to be out of action, it will be another injury blow to Arteta amid a packed upcoming schedule.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both missed the game through injury, but of greater concern to Arteta will be his growing defensive crisis.

Full-backs Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and even sixth-choice left-back Kieran Tierney were all out of action for the Shakhtar clash, with Oleksandr Zinchenko named on the bench.

But Zinchenko himself only returned from injury for this fixture, with Arteta deciding to replace Calafiori with Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Riccardo Calafiori off with a knee injury ⬇️

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Jakub Kiwior is another option at left-back, but he was an unused substitute.

And Gunners fans were less than impressed with their manager's choice to keep Calafiori on the pitch given the side's injury issues.

One wrote: "Calafiori off injured because Arteta doesn't trust squad players in games like this."

A second added: "I really hope Calafiori is okay. But Arteta literally refuses to play kids unless there's no other options."

And a third stated: "This is a disaster. Don't even know why Calafiori is on the pitch to be honest."