Arsenal fell to their second consecutive loss in the Champions League away to San Siro, losing 1-0 to Inter Milan thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty kick goal in the first half.
Mikel Arteta’s side arrived in Italy without Declan Rice due to injury in the week before heading to Chelsea in the Premier League following a heavy defeat to Newcastle, and his absence was felt as the Gunners lost for the first time in Europe. This season.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was left hooked at half-time after a handball gave away a spot-kick, but there was little he could do to stop Mehdi Taremi’s shot. It is highly likely that he would not have received the award in the Premier League.
Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu is surrounded by teammates after scoring in his team’s win over Arsenal
Merino felt they should have been awarded a penalty early in the first half when Inter goalkeeper Jan Sommer headed in a clearance from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross, but VAR was not enough to overturn the on-field decision.
Should Arsenal have been penalized for this incident?
Arteta said TNT Sports His team was “harshly finished” in Milan for two penalty decisions.
“There is no danger in the box. There is nothing (Merino) can do. The ball is so close to the body that I don’t know how he can get away with it. Especially if you give me that one, give me the other one and it’s 100.” The percentage should be a penalty.”
sky sports Expert Paul Merson agreed. “He literally punched him in the head. It’s a double punch. It should have been a penalty. Merino headed the ball and Somer came and hit him on the head.”
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Paul Merson could not believe Arsenal were not awarded a penalty as Yann Sommer appeared to hit Mikel Merino on the head and felt his former club had worked hard to concede a penalty to Inter Milan.
Arsenal completed 46 crosses and failed to score in the second match. William Saliba had a good headed chance saved and Kai Havertz was expertly denied by Inter defender Jan Visek, who was favored ahead of the impressive Alessandro Bastoni.
Even the introduction of captain Martin Odegaard during stoppage time, having missed the last 12 games due to injury, could not inspire a late comeback as Arsenal fell to 12th in the Champions League standings after Gameweek 4.
Meanwhile, Inter earned 10 points from the opening four games, moved up to fifth place in the automatic qualifying round, and remained undefeated despite facing Arsenal and Premier League champion Manchester City.
Arteta: Arsenal did it harshly
Arteta looked pointed in his post-match interview. TNT Sports He complained about two decisions that went against his side.
“I’m really proud of our players and the way we played. The level of dominance we had when we played. I think we were harsh in that it was obvious (both penalties),” he said. he said
“Especially if you’re going to give a penalty kick in the other box, obviously you should give a penalty kick for hitting the guy in the head.
“It’s not a shot, it’s just a change of direction (for Inter’s penalty kick). There’s no danger in the box and there’s nothing you can do. The ball is so close to your body that I don’t know how you can get away with it. Especially if you give that and give that, 100%.” will be a penalty.
“Considering the amount of situations and chances we created, we should have had at least two goals and that’s on us. The way the team played, who we were tonight, the level of quality, how we got into the box and how we did it. To be honest, I’m very proud that they dominated one of the best teams in Europe.”
Arsenal’s creative spark Odegaard is gone
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The Times’ Martin Hardy believes Arsenal could go down a too pragmatic route and thinks they look lost, while The Independent’s Miguel Delaney says their injuries have exposed their lack of aggressive signings in the transfer window.
Arsenal’s struggles against Inter were reminiscent of their loss to Newcastle last weekend. They dominated the second half but could not find a way through the hosts’ tenacious defensive performance. There was a lack of creativity.
This was reflected in the team recording 46 crosses throughout the match. Arsenal, who have consciously resisted signing a striker over the past two years, were pursuing an approach that called for a big number nine.
This was a screaming match for Odegaard, who has been out for Arsenal since the end of August after suffering a ligament injury in Norway. Arsenal understandably decided not to risk him until the last minute, but Ethan Nwaneri continued to wait unnecessarily.
The 17-year-old has proven this season that he has the skill and guile to unlock defenses when given the opportunity, and with Odegaard and Rice out, now is the perfect time to give Nwaneri a chance to show it. I felt that. The biggest stage.
Arteta gave the teenager just eight minutes of regular time to prove that Arsenal are struggling to find the form that has left them showing no signs of becoming Premier League title contenders. Injuries to key players have put them in a rut.
Arsenal’s hope is that both Odegaard and Rice can return to their best once they are fit. Arteta may need to do this sooner with another key game at Chelsea next. It’s early in the season, but we can’t afford to drop any more points.
