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 versus English teams
Inter’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City on Matchday 1 made it one win in five games against Premier League teams (with one draw and three defeats).
The Nerazzurri’s last home game against English visitors was a 0-2 first-leg loss to Liverpool in the 2021/22 round of 16. That ended a five-game winning run, and six-game unbeaten streak, at home to teams from England.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal – but to win the title he must change them back
Arsenal may have only exited the title race for about two-and-a-half hours. They were soon readmitted, reprieved by a result in Bournemouth. The prospect of an eight-point deficit to Manchester City disappeared. In a division where there has scarcely been room for error, there was now some. Arsenal’s task still seems implausible, but it is not quite impossible.
And yet they finished Saturday behind Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table after delivering their worst performance of the season in what promises to be a defining week. Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea present a trio of examinations on the road and the Arsenal that Mikel Arteta has constructed seem designed with such tasks in mind. They may be Arteta’s Arsenal 3.0, the battle-hardened rebrand.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal – but to win the title he must change them back
Man City’s slip-up kept the Gunners alive in the hunt for the Premier League trophy but they need to trade their newfound steel for style
Saka on Odegaard
Bukayo Saka also touched on Martin Odegaard’s potential return tonight and hos it feels to take on the role of captain in his absence.
He said: “Martin is the captain; I’m just part of the leadership group. When I do wear the armband, I prefer to lead by example. I think it’s important to stay calm and not to overreact.
“I love football, I live for football. When I go home, I watch a lot of football too. I always take care of my body so, if I’m available, I try to play.”
Big games bring pressure
Saka also admitted that big games such as these in the Champions League tend to bring the best out of him despite the increase in pressure on the team.
He said: “In these big games, there’s always a big atmosphere, there’s always a lot of pressure, a lot of intensity and for me I feel it brings the best out of me, so I’m looking forward to it.
“We have a very good record and we’re unbeaten. We’re going to look to keep that record tomorrow night and that’s all we can really do.”
Arsenal Women forced to move Champions League game over clash with men’s team
Arsenal Women have moved their headline Champions League clash with Bayern Munich away from the Emirates Stadium due to a fixture clash with the men’s team.
The Women’s Super League side have been forced into a change of venue because of the men’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace which can only be played on the same date as the scheduled meeting with Bayern.
Both games will take place on Wednesday 18th December.
Arsenal Women forced to move Champions League game over clash with men’s team
Renee Slegers’ side were due to face Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium but the game will now be placed elsewhere
Saka on Arsenal’s ‘belief'
Arsenal have been in a poor run of form recently but Bukayo Saka does not think it is time to worry yet and says he, and his teammates, have the belief to turn things around.
“For me, I always live by the quote, ‘it’s not what you see, it’s what you believe’,” he said ahead of Arsenal’s tie against Inter Milan at San Siro.
“If you look at our squad, the quality we have, the players we have, and at the same time we’re only in November so I don’t think I’ve lost any belief.
“Obviously there’s a lot of noise around the club and we lost two games and drew another one but at the same time it’s important to stay calm. We don’t want to create any panic and chaos. I don’t think we need that right now.
“I’m just doing my best to help the team in every way I can and if I need to do that I’ll do that for sure.”
Bukayo Saka confident Arsenal can win trophy
A defiant Bukayo Saka said he has not lost the belief that Arsenal will end this season with silverware amid a turbulent spell for the club.
The Gunners have taken just one point from their last three Premier League matches to slip off the title pace, while sporting director Edu rocked the club with his resignation bombshell.
Saka, who has starred for Arsenal this season, said in the aftermath of his side’s impressive 2-0 win against Paris St Germain in October that he feels this will be the season that the Gunners dethrone Manchester City.
I don’t think I’ve lost any belief – Bukayo Saka confident Arsenal can win trophy
The Gunners have taken just one point from their last three Premier League matches to slip off the title pace.
Arsenal unbeaten
Arsenal have picked up seven points in their first three league phase matches. They followed up an opening 0-0 draw at Atalanta with home victories over Paris (2-0) and Shakhtar (1-0).
Odegaard is back
“The news Arsenal have been waiting two months for: Martin Odegaard is back. On the bench anyway, even if his return is offset by the loss of Declan Rice.
“Inter seem to have prioritised the top-of-the-table clash with Napoli at the weekend by putting Nicolo Barella, Marcus Thuram and Federico Dimarco on the bench.”
Inzaghi on Arsenal
“Arsenal are very well known, with a great coach like Arteta and a clear identity, aggressive and dynamic.” said Inter boss Simone Inzaghi
“They’ve gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the last two seasons and they’re one of the strongest sides in Europe. Arsenal are our top priority, last year they went far and are one of the favourites to win the competition.”
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