Ukraine round-up: Champions held on opening day

Arsenal dominate 
Arsenal were the better side in the capital despite handing debuts to nine players. "The squad had just a week to prepare but we still held a side who are getting ready for the UEFA Champions League," said coach Vyacheslav Grozny.

Dynamo on song 
Meanwhile, Shakhtar's main rivals FC Dynamo Kyiv began with a win - 2-0 away to FC Metalist Kharkiv. Defender Yuri Dmitroulin scored on 67 minutes before Valentin Bielkevitch secured the points from the penalty spot on 82 minutes.

Donetsk fight back 
In Donetsk, FC Metalurh Donetsk needed late strikes from Serhiy Zakarlyuka and Serhiy Tkachenko to defeat new boys FC Obolon Kyiv, who had taken the lead through Anatoly Mazurenko in the first half.

Tavriya turnaround 
Elsewhere, FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya drew 1-1 at FC Tavriya Simferopol - the first time in five years that they had failed to win the fixture. The visitors went ahead through Viktor Melnik on 55 minutes, only for Vasil Gigiadze to equalise three minutes later.

Double delight 
FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih beat another debutant, FC Chornomorets Odesa, 2-0 with goals from Volodymyr Musolytyn. Stepan Molokutsko of FC Metalurh Mariupil also scored twice as his side beat FC Vorskla Poltava 4-1. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk edged out SC Volyn-1 Lutsk 2-0 while the match between FC Polihraftechnica Olexandria and FC Karpaty Lviv ended in stalemate.