Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Inter Milan in the Champions League, losing 1-0 after a controversial penalty scored by Hakan Calhanoglu. Arsenal’s unbeaten start in the tournament came to an end at the San Siro, deepening the issues surrounding the club during a challenging week that included the resignation of sporting director Edu.
The match marked a difficult outing for Arteta, who not only faced challenges on the pitch but also received a booking shortly after half-time in a frustrating encounter. Arsenal battled valiantly to find an equalizer, showing improvement in the second half with a flurry of corners – 14 in total compared to Inter’s none. Despite their efforts, Arsenal failed to break down the disciplined Italian defense, culminating in a second consecutive 1-0 away loss for the Gunners.
Almost 21 years earlier, Arsenal’s visit to the San Siro ended in a legendary 5-1 victory during the Invincibles season, with Edu featuring in midfield. But this time, despite dominating possession and the run of play after an early onslaught by Inter, Arsenal could not replicate that success. Arteta’s team has now lost three of their last six matches in all competitions, dampening the momentum they built earlier in the season.
One positive note for Arsenal was the return of their captain, Martin Ødegaard, who made a brief appearance after missing 12 games due to an ankle injury. Ødegaard’s return provides a much-needed boost for a side struggling to regain its form and consistency. With Declan Rice unavailable, Thomas Partey resumed his position in central midfield, while Ben White featured in a previously unbreached Champions League backline.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter came into the match on solid form, having rested key players in a recent victory against Venezia. Calhanoglu and Mehdi Taremi were both instrumental in the encounter with Arsenal, and Inzaghi’s strategy focused on possession to mitigate Arsenal’s attacking prowess. The match saw Inter make an early statement with Denzel Dumfries hitting the crossbar within the first two minutes and Calhanoglu narrowly missing a shot from distance.
Arsenal initially struggled to find their rhythm, needing timely interventions from Gabriel Magalhães to break up dangerous Inter plays. The Brazilian defender received a yellow card after a tussle with Lautaro Martínez as Arsenal geared up to take their first corner. Arteta seized the break in play to issue tactical adjustments, seemingly in response to the challenges posed by Dumfries on the flank.
Arsenal’s early offensive moves lacked the potency to penetrate Inter’s solid defense. Gabriel Martinelli’s cross nearly connected with Mikel Merino’s header, only for Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, to punch it away, sparking Arteta’s frustrations when VAR confirmed no foul was committed. It was Inter, however, who found the breakthrough just before half-time. A penalty was awarded when Taremi’s close-range volley struck Merino’s arm, a decision that frustrated Arsenal given the limited reaction time Merino had to avoid contact. Calhanoglu made no mistake from the spot, putting Inter ahead with a calm finish past David Raya.
As the second half began, Arteta made a tactical switch by bringing on Gabriel Jesus for Merino, shifting Kai Havertz into midfield. Arsenal intensified their efforts, with Martinelli shooting wide and William Saliba misjudging a header when a goal seemed within reach. Gabriel also threatened from a corner, but Dumfries cleared off the line to preserve Inter’s lead.
Ødegaard warmed up on the sidelines, watching intently, but it was Inter who refreshed their squad with a trio of substitutions. Arteta’s frustrations continued, earning a yellow card after picking up the ball while it remained in play, leading to an Inter free-kick. The manager received a final warning minutes later, his irritation evident as Arsenal continued to chase an elusive equalizer.
One of Arsenal’s best opportunities came when Leandro Trossard’s cross reached Havertz, who was unable to convert from eight yards out due to a well-timed block by Inter defender Yann Bisseck. Following a head injury that required stitches, Havertz was replaced by young Ethan Nwaneri, a move indicating Arteta’s desperation for a spark to change the game. Finally, Ødegaard entered in stoppage time, but Inter’s defense held firm to secure another clean sheet, providing a strong platform for their upcoming clash with Napoli.
For Arsenal, the defeat was another setback, with their current form overshadowed by early-season promise. Now positioned 12th in the Champions League standings, they must regroup quickly before facing Chelsea in the Premier League.
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