Watching their unbeaten Champions League record come to an abrupt end on Wednesday night, Arsenal fell to a 1-0 loss away at Inter Milan.
With chances coming at a real premium throughout the first-half, Inter were awarded a controversial spot-kick just seconds before the interval as Mikel Merino was deemed to have handled the ball.
While Arsenal’s summer recruit might have been incredibly misfortunate, the decision stood following a lengthy VAR check and Hakan Calhanoglu confidently dispatched past David Raya.
Although Mikel Arteta’s side might have huffed and puffed as they searched for a crucial equaliser, the Gunners failed to find a much-welcomed boost and they have now recorded just two wins from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
As for Inter Milan, already putting 10 points on the board from their first four Champions League appearances this season and collecting a heavyweight scalp at the San Siro here, Wednesday’s hosts have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent.
In a showdown between two European giants, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the San Siro.
Arsenal fail to claim an essential boost
While Arsenal might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the new campaign, the Gunners have come crashing back down to earth since returning from October’s international break.
Although Arteta’s side might have been desperate to claim an essential boost when they arrived at the San Siro on Wednesday night, the English heavyweights put in another worrying performance.
Suffering a 1-0 loss when they travelled to Newcastle last weekend, Arsenal have remarkably come tumbling out of the Premier League’s top-four and they have come under some recent scrutiny.
Travelling to Milan on Wednesday night without England international and midfield talisman Declan Rice, Arteta’s inconsistent squad have now claimed just a pair of victories from any of their previous six appearances since returning from October’s fortnight interval.
Marking their return from the international break with a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth, Arsenal face another stern challenge this weekend when they travel to bitter London rivals Chelsea.
Inter are a genuine European contender this season
Making real history last season as they got their hands on a 25th domestic crown, Inter Milan have only continued to underline their status as Italy’s ultimate poster boy over recent times.
Although Wednesday’s hosts might have endured somewhat of a stuttering start when opening up the new campaign, Simone Inzaghi’s men have come roaring back in a sensational fashion and they should be regarded as a genuine European dark horse this year.
Getting their Champions League adventure underway on September 18th with a gritty 0-0 stalemate away at Manchester City, Inter have also gained a real reputation for their extended success at the back.
In fact, along with putting 10 points on the board from their first four European appearances this season, the Italian giants have also not conceded a single goal since getting their Champions League campaign underway.
With some around the San Siro dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine domestic and European sweep this season, the mood in Inzaghi’s camp is rightfully at a red-hot high.
The Gunners continue to show issues on the road
While Arsenal might have drawn back-to-back blanks over the past week as they continue to search for a clinical edge, Arteta will certainly have a mounting headache over his side’s continued issues outside of north London.
Putting in another toothless performance on Wednesday night and failing to find any kind of attacking fluidity at the San Siro, Wednesday’s guests are desperately seeking some kind of stability on their travels.
Despite extending on their EFL Cup adventure last week as they secured a routine 3-0 win away at Championship outfit Preston, that is remarkably the only victory that Arsenal have collected away from the Emirates in their previous six appearances across all competitions.
With that extended blip stemming all the way back to a 1-0 win away at arch-rivals Tottenham on September 15th, the Gunners have also drawn a blank in three of their last four showdowns outside of north London.
Match Report
Inter Milan: Sommer, Pavard, de Vrij, Bisseck, Darmian, Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Taremi, Martinez
Subs: Thuram, Barella, Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Asllani
Arsenal: Raya, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber, Merino, Partey, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard
Subs: Nwaneri, Zinchenko, Jesus, Odegaard
Goals: Inter Milan: Calhanoglu (45+3’ P)
Yellow Cards: Inter Milan: Martinez, Barella – Arsenal: Gabriel, Jesus
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Istvan Kovacs
