Butt of luck

Gunners edge to win after Martinelli strike goes in off keeper's backside

- JOHN CROSS

ARSENAL scrambled a cheeky Champions League win but it came at a price.

The Gunners desperately needed to reboot and regroup in Europe after their English title challenge was undermined by three red cards in six games, costing seven dropped points and the end of a 16-match unbeaten run.

Prayers were answered when Gabriel Martinelli's shot rebounded off a post and ricocheted in off Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk's backside after 29 minutes.

It brought a whole new meaning to the phrase '1-0 to the ARSEnal' - but the home side missed a glut of chances to make the points safe. And Emirates boss Mikel Arteta could be forced into a major defensive reshuffle in Sunday's big showdown with Liverpool after Riccardo Calafiori shuffled off injured with 20 minutes to go.