Inter vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Hakan Calhanoglu penalty proves decisive
Inter 1-0 Milan: Mikel Arteta’s could not convert their chances and slipped to defeat
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal suffered a controversial defeat at the hands of Inter Milan in a close contest that continues their dip in form ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea.
The Gunners came to the San Siro with high hopes of recording another European win and establishing themselves inside the top eight of the table but instead they find themselves dropping lower having conceded for the first time this season in the European top-flight.
That goal came from the penalty spot late in the first half. Mikel Merino judged to have handled the ball despite having less than a second before a deflection of Mehdi Taremi turned it onto his right arm. Unfortunately for the Gunners such incidents are given in Europe and Hakan Calhanoglu slotted home from the spot with gusto.
Mikel Arteta switched things up in the second half and threw men up the pitch. Wave after wave of Arsenal attack was repelled and even the return of Martin Odegaard – for a three-minute cameo – did nothing to lift the spirits.
Arsenal were defeated and are still in search of some inspiration to halt and turnaround their decline.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
17 mins: Martinelli dribbles into space on the left wing and flicks a teasing cross into the box. Matteo Darmian is on hand to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Good pressure from the Gunners.
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
14 mins: Better from Arsenal. They’re more controlled and comfortable in possession, forcing Inter to play deeper.
Or is it!
Inter recover the ball by flooding the midfield. It’s sent quickly up to Martinez who flicks a pass onto Taremi. The striker weaves into the box and gets hounded by Thomas Partey.
Taremi manages to square the ball but Arsenal clear their lines. Sharp break from the hosts.
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
11 mins: Arsenal attempt to find a way up the pitch and decide to come down the right flank. A throw in comes to Bukayo Saka who looks to find Kai Havertz making a run in behind.
Havertz gets flagged offside and Inter are awarded a free kick.
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
8 mins: Inter have dominated this start and Arsenal need to weather the storm. The hosts are upbeat, pacey and have a desire to fly up the pitch.
Most of the action has seen Arsenal defend their own penalty area and to their credit they’ve done so pretty well.
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
5 mins: Close!
Hakan Calhanoglu backs up Dumfries’ earlier effort by hitting a sweet low strike from 25 yards out. David Raya is worried about it an dleaps across but the effort just wide of the post.
Inter 0-0 Arsenal
2 mins: Chance!
Wow. What a start this would have been for the hosts. Lautaro Martinez receives the ball and slips it forward for his strike partner Mehdi Taremi.
He storms up to the box then swings a cross over to Denzel Dumfries who is wide open. The right wingback controls the ball the rattles a fine effort onto the crossbar!
Kick off! Inter 0-0 Arsenal
The Gunners get the ball rolling with Leandro Trossard sweeping the ball across to the left side of the pitch. Gabriel Martinelli makes a run down the wing and the ball is sent in behind the defence for him.
He chases it wholeheartedly but can’t stop it rolling out for a throw in.
Inter vs Arsenal
The teams make their way out onto the pitch at the San Siro looking determined to get a positive result tonight.
Bukayo Saka leads out the Gunners but it would not be surprising if captain Martin Odegaard makes an appearance at some point tonight.
He starts on the bench for Arsenal. Kick off is up next...
Inter vs Arsenal prediction
With Arsenal low on confidence and Inter in fine form (they are unbeaten in 11 games) this has the makings of a sad night for Mikel Arteta and co.
Still, there is enough quality in Arsenal’s team to make an impact and possibly even get themselves over the line for what would be a superb win away from home.
The most likely option is a draw, 0-0 is certainly on the cards but optimistically we’ll goe for a scoring one.
Inter Milan 1-1 Arsenal.
Arsenal versus Italian teams
The goalless draw at Atalanta on Matchday 1 ended Arsenal’s four-match winning run against Italian teams, although they have still won six of their last eight games (with one draw and one defeat).
The Gunners are unbeaten in three games in Italy (two wins, one draw), where they managed one win in their first seven visits (three draws, three defeats) but have six in the subsequent 11 (two draws, three defeats).
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