Inter 1-0 Arsenal: Hakan Calhanoglu penalty provides Nerazzurri Champions League win over shot-shy Gunners – Eurosport

Inter ended Arsenal’s unbeaten begin to the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win on the San Siro because of Hakan Calhanolgu’s penalty on the verge of half-time.

The Turkish worldwide stroked his spot-kick down the center after Mikel Merino was judged to have dealt with the ball inside the realm in stoppage time of the opening interval.

Mikel Arteta’s facet struggled to create something clear-cut in opposition to a resolute Inter defence however got here closest to equalising when Mehdi Taremi’s defensive header from a nook was cleared off the road by team-mate Denzel Dumfries.

The 2 sides have been stage on factors coming into this night having picked up two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures.

The defeat sees Arsenal’s unbeaten begin within the competitors come to an finish as they slip to twelfth spot, however they are going to be delighted to see Martin Odegaard make a late substitute look following his long-term absence by damage.

In the meantime, Inter’s undefeated begin continues as they transfer as much as fifth. Remarkably, they’re nonetheless but to concede having saved a clear sheet of their opening 4 ties.

Arsenal got an early let-off by Simone Inzaghi’s males inside two minutes when Dumfries rattled the crossbar after bringing the ball down within the space and unleashing with the skin of his proper foot.

After being dominated for the opening ten minutes, the Gunners grew into the sport and threatened with a sequence of harmful corners from Bukayo Saka, however created nothing of notice within the opening 45.

With the 2 groups but to concede within the competitors heading into the match, 0-0 appeared an unsurprising scoreline simply earlier than the break. However the script was ripped up because the referee awarded a doubtful spot-kick.

Taremi’s flick on from Calhanolgu’s free-kick actually struck the arm of Merino, nevertheless it was in such shut neighborhood that the choice would maybe not have been given within the Premier League.

Arsenal seemed extra harmful within the second half with Yann Bisseck producing an outstanding block to disclaim Kai Havertz so as to add to the sooner defensive heroics of Dumfries on the goal-line.

The Gunners continued to ship in a barrage of crosses however have been missing the goal man to make them rely, whereas Odegaard’s introduction in stoppage time was too little too late when it comes to injecting some creativity.

Up subsequent for Arsenal is a visit to Stamford Bridge to tackle Chelsea, who sit stage on factors with them within the Premier League. Their subsequent European recreation is a go to to Sporting, the place Manchester Metropolis conceded 4 on Tuesday.

Inter, in the meantime, tackle Napoli in a mouth-watering conflict on the high of Serie A on Sunday, whereas their subsequent Champions League tie comes within the type of a go to from still-pointless RB Leipzig.

Whereas Mikel Arteta shall be relieved to see the return of Odegaard, he shall be involved by the additional proof of Arsenal’s reliance on the midfielder to create goalscoring alternatives.

Because the 25-year-old’s damage whereas on worldwide obligation in September, the Gunners have typically seemed devoid of concepts within the ultimate third with a seeming reliance on set-pieces.

This night’s defeat marks the second successive recreation through which they’ve been saved out by their opponent following their 1-0 defeat away to Newcastle on Saturday.

Whereas Arteta’s males have been actually the beneficiaries of efficient set-pieces final season, they’ve lacked the ingenuity and slick passing in and across the field in current weeks that additionally contributed to their title cost.

With a visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Arsenal shall be hoping Odegaard can rapidly discover his ft to stop a possible ten-point hole forming from Premier League leaders Liverpool.

In a recreation of comparatively few possibilities it was Calhanolgu’s high quality that made the distinction. It was his free-kick that led to the penalty which he stepped as much as coolly convert.

Except for the penalty his high quality of passing and studying of the sport was instrumental in relieving strain on Inter late on and permitting them to take pleasure in spells of possession to take care of a level of management.

Inter Milan: Sommer 7, Pavard 6, De Vrij 7, Bisseck 7, Dumfries 7, Frattesi 6, Zielinksi 6, Calhanoglu 8*, Darmian 6, Taremi 6, Martinez 7. Subs: Asllani 5, Mhikitaryan 7, Dimarco 5, Barella 6, Thuram 7.

Arsenal: Raya 6, White 5, Saliba 5, Gabriel 6, Timber 6, Merino 5, Partey 5, Havertz 6, Saka 7, Trossard 6, Martinelli 6. Subs: Jesus 6, Nwaneri 6, Odegaard N/A, Zinchenko 6.

59′ – ARSENAL EFFORT CLEARED OFF THE LINE: Saka’s nook is focused to the close to submit and it will get a flick on by Inter’s Taremi however Dumfries is there on the again submit to make a significant goal-line clearance.

45+4′ – GOAL! INTER MILAN 1-0 ARSENAL (CALHANOGLOU): After a watch for VAR to examine for a possible offside, Calhanoglou strokes his penalty down the center as Raya dives to the correct.

45+2′ – PENALTY FOR INTER: The free-kick from Calhanoglou is flicked on by the heel of Taremi and strikes the arm of Merino and a penalty is given. That is a harsh one with Merino so near the Inter ahead.

3′ – INTER RATTLE THE BAR: Inter’s two strikers mix earlier than Taremi finds Dumfries on the again submit. He controls it earlier than putting with the skin of his foot and his effort rattles the crossbar. Early let-off for the Gunners!