My initial reaction on seeing the Arsenal line-up for the game in Donetsk was that the holding midfielders were a pair of teenagers. Now Jack Wilshere is a prodigious talent, but asking him and Craig Eastmond to do the job of men was a little too much. It was a starting line-up that suggested to me that the manager felt that anything from this game would be a bonus. When you have nine points from three games and a home game against Partizan Belgrade to come, I guess you can afford to take this approach. Some first choice players did not make the trip and while others did, some were named as substitutes.

Given the context of the game, I am in no mood to be over-critical of what transpired. Shakhtar’s impressive record at home exists because they are a better team than that which turned up in London a fortnight ago. Arsenal – even at their peak – struggled to get results in these parts. However, it was disappointing to see the lead they established so meekly surrendered.

Theo’s goal was outstanding and well-taken. In the instant he hit the shot, I thought, he’s taken this too early. But it was a very good finish. However, the two goals the home side scored established why neither Eboue not Clichy are really top grade full backs. The free kick that led to the equaliser saw Eboue turned all ends up, forcing him to foul his opponent. The goal that followed from the flighted ball into the area was little surprise. Arsenal don’t do set pieces very well, a major Achilles’ heel in their ambition to compete with the best.

As for the winning goal, what needs be said about Gael Clichy’s obsession with not putting the ball out of play when the occasion warrants it? It’s proved costly in the past and it’ll prove costly in the future. The lad has enjoyed a tremendous amount of goodwill based on the identity of the player he replaced, but the lad’s an athlete and not a defender. He does not have much of a clue really does he? He’s a solid young man in terms of his personality – a genuinely nice guy. But he is not really a very good full back. You’ve heard the term, ‘no nonsense defender’. Gael is a nonsense defender.

Arsenal did create opportunities to equalise in the second half, and credit to them for remaining in a game Shakhtar might have run away with. It was significant that Eastmond was withdrawn on 58 minutes by a manager who resolutely refuses to sub anyone before the 68th in normal circumstances. He had a stinker, but he was way out of his depth, not helped by more experienced team-mates who were giving the ball away a little too easily a little too often. Bendtner was poor at the hold-up play and Chamakh need not fear for his place.

Eduardo scored against Arsenal again and in fairness did not over-celebrate. Classy guy. He deserves success and I don’t begrudge him his winner. Shakhtar were the better team and worthy winners. Arsenal flew in on a wing and a prayer with a selection that didn’t mean business and didn’t do the business. They will still qualify from this group and in all probability win it. We won’t see Craig Eastmond in the Champions League again this season unless the Partizan Belgrade match is a complete formality. We will, sadly, see more of Gael Clichy, but Kieran Gibbs can’t get fit again soon enough for my money. Eboue’s Eboue. Great attitude, great tryer, but not the kind of player that is going to win you titles, at least not until a genuine defensive coach gets hold of him and teaches him the role. It seems that Martin Keown was doing a bit of that in 2006, but the benefit wore off a long time ago.

There were other questionable displays in the Ukraine, but hopefully they won’t matter. Win all the home matches and with the win in Belgrade it will be enough to send Arsenal into the last 16. Shakhtar away will be forgotten about, although the lessons of this game should not be.