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:
Arsenal’s latest defeat belies the true nature of their decline – and offers hope of a reversal
Arsenal have traded St James’ Park for San Siro but the scoreline has stayed the same. In a few days they have lost to Newcastle and Internazionale. They have lost Edu, too, and if the corridors of power are emptier, the numbers of reverses are growing.
And yet, while they repeated their result at Newcastle on Saturday, it was a defeat with a difference. Meek on Tyneside, Arsenal rediscovered their resolve. After their worst performance of the season came one of the better ones. There are no prizes for winning the shot on target and corner counts, but Arsenal chalked up resounding triumphs, of 5-1 and 13-0.
But they lost the game to Internazionale. Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty formed part of a trilogy of misfortune for Mikel Merino; denied a spot kick at one end, blameless as he conceded one at the other, removed at half-time, it was not one Spaniard’s day. Nor another’s; Mikel Arteta has his own issues with referee Istvan Kovacs, getting first a yellow card and then a final warning for his appraisal of the Hungarian’s efforts.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 22:30
FT Inter 1-0 Arsenal
Inter Milan and Atalanta are the only two teams yet to concede a goal. Based on tonight’s performance, Inter might never concede a goal again.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 22:25
FT Inter 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal are now down to 12th in the Champions League table with Inter Milan as high as fifth. The Gunners are outside the automatic qualification spots and will need a stronger result next time out.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 22:20
FT Inter 1-0 Arsenal
Mike Jones6 November 2024 22:08
Full-time! Inter 1-0 Arsenal
90+8 mins: There were more minutes added on for Arsenal but they can’t find a way through this Inter defence.
Finally the full-time whistle goes and Inter Milan have the win and the points. Arsenal are beaten for the first time in the Champions League this season.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 22:00
Inter 1-0 Arsenal
87 mins: Saliba switches the play out to Martinelli who cuts inside and swings a cross into the box for Haverts. He gets a small touch on the ball but can’t turn it towards goal and Inter hoof it clear.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 21:51
Inter 1-0 Arsenal
84 mins: Ethan Nwaneri is making his Champions League debut at 17-years-old. He’s a talent for the future that Mikel Arteta will want to give more experiences like this tight game.
Can the teenager make a difference in the closing stages?
Mike Jones6 November 2024 21:46
Inter 1-0 Arsenal
81 mins: Still no sign of Martin Odegaard though the Arsenal captain has been warming up on the sidelines. Arteta decides to bring on reinforcements in the form of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ethan Nwaneri.
Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard have gone off.
Mike Jones6 November 2024 21:44