Arsenal’s disappointing performance persisted as they were defeated 1-0 by Inter Milan in their Champions League match. Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty strike was the sole goal of the match.
The most recent Champions League encounter between the two teams was 21 years ago, during the same season in which Arsenal achieved the title of “The Invincibles.” Wednesday night’s match was the third. The Gunners delivered a 5-1 crushing strike to a star-studded Nerazzurri team that evening, as Thierry Henry scored a brace and Freddie Ljungberg, Edu, and Robert Pirès scored to secure a historic victory at the San Siro.
Inter was in the lead over Arsenal in the newly-formatted Champions League table on goal difference heading into the match, with the two teams occupying eighth and ninth positions, respectively. However, the Gunners’ prospects were buoyed by the return of club captain Martin Odegaard from injury, despite the fact that he was only fit enough to serve as a substitute.
Within two minutes, the host team believed they had scored the opening goal when Denzel Dumfries’ outside-footed effort struck the crossbar. Subsequently, Calhanoglu’s long-range strike narrowly missed the post.
From that point forward, and for the majority of the first half, the game was characterized by a series of stop-starts, as the referee blew his whistle for numerous infractions rather than allowing the game to progress. Both teams had few and far between opportunities.
Arsenal did have a claim for a penalty after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer failed to handle Gabriel Martinelli’s cross into the box. It appeared that Sommer’s follow-through strike made contact with the head of Mikel Merino; however, a VAR check was promptly conducted.
In the five minutes preceding halftime, Arsenal increased their pressure by blocking Jurrien Timber’s delivery into the box, which resulted in three consecutive corners. However, the Gunners were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
However, Inter was granted a penalty on the cusp of halftime after Calhanoglu’s free-kick impacted Merino’s hand in the area. The Turkish midfielder stepped up to take the penalty and effortlessly scored, breaking the impasse.
The Gunners began the second half of the game with a bang, gaining their ninth corner of the game. However, Inter’s disciplined off-ball play allowed them to regain control of the game relatively quickly, although it would not be sustained.
Arsenal began to increase the pressure on the Italian juggernauts after a goal-saving clearance off the line from Dumfries and a spectacular Somer save. Kai Havertz believed he had scored when he was left alone in the box to execute his strike. However, Yann Bisseck saved the day with a point-blank range block, effectively preventing the goal.
In the second half, Arsenal’s attack was relentless, and Inter struggled to escape their own half for a significant portion of the match. Despite this, the defense made some crucial clearances, and Bisseck was one of the standouts of the match.
This victory for Inter marks their fourth consecutive clean sheet, and they have yet to concede in this Champions League campaign. This achievement propels them to fifth in the standings, while Arsenal slips to 12th.
