Arsenal won't be winning any style points for their 1-0 victory over visiting Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Gabriel Martinelli doesn't care.
Martinelli was arguably the Gunners' most influential player in the narrow victory, as it was his shot that caromed off Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk for the match-winning own-goal in the 29th minute. The North London side had several opportnunities from that point on to increase their lead against the Ukrainians, including a weak 77th-minute Leandro Trossard penalty that was easily saved by Riznyk, but they couldn't muster more than the single fortuitous goal against their visitors and nearly paid for it on a number of late forays by the Shakhtar attack that required some heroics by David Raya to keep the scoreline in favour of the hosts.
However, Martinelli isn't worried about his side limping to the finish line of the match, just that they secured the victory and moved into a top four spot in the new league phase of the continental competition.
"Most important thing is to win," Martinelli told TNT Sports following the final whistle. "We knew how tough they are and we came here to win the game and we did it.
"We wanted to score more but we won the game and that's the most important thing."
Martinelli was a candidate to take the late penalty that would have given his side some much-needed breathing room against the determined visitors, but he backed Trossard to put the missed spot-kick behind him as the Gunners return to domestic action on Sunday against table toppers Liverpool.
"He could've scored but we are behind him, supporting him," Martinelli said of Trossard. "We know his quality and we go again. I'm sure he's going to play well in the next game."
