Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat of their Gameweek 4 conflict with Inter Milan at San Siro on Wednesday night time, November 6. The Gunners put up a powerful struggle, particularly within the second half, however the Nerazzurri held on for expensive life and got here away with most factors.
After enduring his first European defeat of the season, Arsenal has slipped to twelfth place within the rankings. Inter, in the meantime, has climbed to fifth place.
Hakan Calahnoglu Penalty Secures Slim Inter Win
Inter Milan loved a shiny begin in entrance of their supporters on Wednesday. Simply two minutes in, Denzel Dumfries went for objective with an unbelievable outside-the-boot effort. David Raya had no reply, however the crossbar got here to Arsenal’s rescue and denied the wingback the opener. Within the following minute, Hakan Calahnoglu tried to catch the goalkeeper out with a shot from vary, however his effort drifted simply broad of the left submit.
Simply earlier than the half-hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli floated a pleasant cross into the realm. Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino each attacked it, however the goalkeeper got here out on high, accumulating the ball after coming along with the Spaniard. Arsenal appealed for a penalty however the referee refused to indulge.
Within the first-half damage time, Merino, seemingly unintentionally, obstructed the ball along with his proper hand inside the realm. The referee pointed to the spot, giving the hosts a gilt-edged alternative to drag forward. Calhanoglu stepped up and despatched his shot down the center to beat the goalkeeper, preserving his 100% penalty conversion fee (17 out of 17 at Inter).
The North Londoners dominated the second half. William Saliba didn’t make contact from point-blank vary within the forty ninth minute, Bukayo Saka noticed his cheeky corner-kick supply cleared off the objective line, and Kai Havertz missed his justifiable share of possibilities from shut vary. Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus additionally got here shut within the closing minutes however didn’t convert.
Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Slams Penalty Name After Champions League Setback
Arteta was sad with the refereeing on Wednesday and didn’t maintain again within the press convention.
He mentioned:
“I don’t perceive [the handball decision]. There isn’t a hazard in any respect. You can’t react as a result of the ball may be very shut. However OK. They determine that could be a penalty.
“But when that could be a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino the place he punches him within the head [28th minute] needs to be a penalty 1000 p.c. These are the margins on this sport and it’s very tough to simply accept. We had been informed at the beginning of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Right now it was a unique story.”
Regardless of the unsatisfactory consequence, Arsenal can take coronary heart from their efficiency at Inter. That they had significantly extra pictures (20 vs 4), created extra massive possibilities (3 vs 1), accomplished extra correct passes (437 vs 243), and had a better xG (1.80 vs 1.19). Had they been somewhat extra scientific, the consequence may have been quite a bit totally different.
