ARSENAL SUFFERED A SHOCK 2-1 DEFEAT TO SHAKHTAR

Theo Walcott scored to put Arsenal 1-0 lead

ARSENAL fails to maintain their winning record in the Champions League Group H match when they went down 2-1 to Ukraine's champions Shakhtar Donetsk at Donbass Arena last night.

Former Arsenal's Eduardo stole the limelight when he scored the winner late in the first half with another excellent top-notch finishing. 


Earlier, Theo Walcott has put the visitor in front and own goal by the 19-year-old Craig Eastmond was enough for the UEFA 2009 champion level on points with goal difference to remain in the second spot.

Despite the defeat, Arsenal remain in a strong position having won their previous three games which means the Gunners still have got work to do in their group as their final two opponent Braga and Partizan match left to be played. With Braga third with six points looks to be their serious challenger after they registered a 1-0 win against Partizan.

Inspire by manager Arsene Wenger who rates him highly as potential prolific scorer.Theo Walcott, gave Arsenal a tremendous start with a fine finish.

But the inexperience 19-year-old Craig Eastmond will remember his Champions League debut for all the wrong reasons after the ball rebounded off his head brought for the home-side equaliser.

Certainly the night belongs to Eduardo as the man who suffered a horrific injury following a tackle by Birmingham's Martin Taylor in February 2008. He moves to Shakhtar in the summer and got a consolation in his return to Emirates two weeks ago with a 5-1 drubbing.

But last night the Brazilian born-Croatian goal proved to be a far more decisive as it turns out to the winner.

Shakhtar are in their second season in the Champions League at the fabulous Donbass Arena and they have made the ground a fortress, with nine clean sheets in their previous 10 games.After their hammering at the Emirates, they were on mission to impress and the result showed they were absolutely right.