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:
Mikel Arteta explains ‘special chemistry’ with departing Arsenal director Edu
Mikel Arteta opened up on his relationship with former Arsenal sporting director Edu after his shock departure from the club overshadowed the Gunners’ preparations for their Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
Edu played a vital role in first bringing Arteta to the Emirates Stadium and then shaping the side into Premier League title contenders with some of the best business including the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta explains ‘special chemistry’ with departing Arsenal director Edu
The Gunners boss spoke ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan
Mikel Arteta on working with Edu
The Gunners manager praised the departing Sporting Director and says he feels ‘blessed’ to have been able to work alongside him to raise Arsenal’s prospect.
“Everything happened very quickly,” Arteta said, “Obviously I loved working with him. I really enjoyed being alongside him in this incredible journey.
“From day one, we’ve been together. We both had this special chemistry and I’m very blessed that he’s been part of my life in such a beautiful place, managing this incredible club, and he’s been a massive part of that.
‘We want to win the right way'
During his tenure as Arsenal Sporting Director Edu always maintained that winning was not enough for the Gunners and that their style was also paramount to their success.
“I want to win the best way possible,” he said. “When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.”
Edu’s exit will force Arsenal hierarchy to reshuffle
Arsenal are set to lose sporting director Edu Gaspar with the Brazilian poised to join up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and his network of clubs.
The departure will remove one of Mikel Arteta’s key allies at the Emirates after a successful period establishing the Gunners as one of the most efficient clubs in Europe in the transfer market.
Edu has been in talks with the Marinakis group and could now lead their recruitment to assist with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Greek club Olympiacos, as well as Portuguese side Rio Ave.
The Independent understands Edu had held ambitions to become CEO at Arsenal, a position the Marinakis group is willing to meet, while also improving his wages by more than three times that of his existing salary at the Emirates.
The Brazilian has played a vital role in Arteta’s side emerging as Premier League title contenders with some of the best business in recent years including the signings of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
The former Arsenal midfielder has established himself as one of the game’s leading sporting directors after impressing with both signings and trimming down the Gunners’ squad after selling Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
The move will force a reshuffle at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy at a pivotal time for the club and their push to wrestle the title away from Manchester City.
The Arsenal decision behind Edu’s exit and what it means for Mikel Arteta
In terms of timing, the news that Edu is set to leave Arsenal couldn’t really have been worse for the club. They’re on this bad run, and it suddenly paints the picture of dysfunction behind the scenes that could further affect what happens on the pitch.
The reality is that this news stems from discussions that have been going on from back when results were far better. The Evangelos Marinakis ownership group has wanted Edu for some time, and they have been willing to more than treble his wages and increase his power. The Brazilian is understood to have been on a salary of around £2m at Arsenal.
From that perspective, it makes rather simple sense. There are still questions, not least over what it means for Arsenal, as well as the power dynamics at the club. The Marinakis ownership group is meanwhile clearly intent on expanding.
The Arsenal decision behind Edu’s exit and what it means for Mikel Arteta
The Brazilian is set to leave the Gunners after playing a pivotal role alongside Mikel Arteta in the club’s excellent transfer business in recent years
‘The new format is more challenging'
Lots of talk this week has centred on the new Champions League format in which sides play eight matches in a new ‘league phase’ with finishing positions determining who goes through to the next round or must face a play-off match.
Simone Inzaghi believes the changes have made the Champions League more difficult saying: “The new format is more challenging.
“Whereas before you prepared for three opponents, now you have to consider eight. It’s more fascinating and, if it improves the spectacle, we’re happy.”
Inzaghi addresses how he’ll beat Arsenal
The Inter Milan boss is confident his team can overcome the Gunners tonight especially with home advantage spurring his side on.
In his pre-match press conference, Simone Inzaghi touched on his gameplan and how he plans on beating Arsenal.
He said: “We want to keep the ball as much as we can. Arsenal can cause us problems when they have ball, but we can do the same when we’re in possession.”
‘We know we are working well'
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi says his team are in great form ahead of Wednesday night’s visit from Arsenal and believes his players have what it takes to secure three points.
He said: “We know we are working well. In the last eight games, we have seven wins and a draw. We know what awaits us – Arsenal are among the strongest teams in Europe – but we are playing in our stadium and we believe in our chances.”
Arsenal receive Martin Odegaard boost but Declan Rice adds to injury concerns
Martin Odegaard is set to hand Arsenal a major boost by making his comeback against Inter Milan, but Declan Rice has missed out on the travelling squad.
Odegaard – who has been out of action since September with an ankle injury – trained alongside his team-mates at Arsenal’s London Colney base on Tuesday morning.
And it is understood Odegaard will travel to Milan ahead of his side’s Champions League fixture at San Siro on Wednesday. Rice, however, has not travelled to Italy but only as a precaution ahead of the crucial London derby with Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal receive Martin Odegaard boost but Declan Rice adds to injury concerns
Odegaard has not featured for the Gunners since picking up an injury at the start of September while on international duty with Norway
Inter vs Arsenal predicted line-ups
Here’s how we see the two teams lining-up this evening. Arsenal seem to have a fairly decent squad available though they will probably be without influential captain Martin Odegaard once again.
Inter XI: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Taremi, Martinez.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Merino, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
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