Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu maintained his incredible penalty record when his spot-kick secured a 1-0 victory for the Italians over Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Neither side had conceded a goal in their opening three games in the competition but Arsenal's defence was finally breached in unfortunate fashion on the stroke of halftime after a harsh handball decision against Mikel Merino.
Calhanoglu has now converted 19 out of 19 penalties in all competitions since joining Inter.
Arsenal laid siege to the Inter goal in the second half with Kai Havertz denied by home keeper Yann Sommer and having another effort deflected just wide, but Inter defended superbly to move to 10 points from four games.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal had 14 goal attempts in the second half but lacked creativity and are now outside the top eight automatic qualifiers for the knockout phase with seven points.
The first meeting between the clubs for 21 years began with Inter on top and they were denied an early goal when Denzil Dumfries thumped a ferocious shot against the crossbar.
Calhanoglu then went close before the game turned into a cagey affair with neither side taking risks.
Arsenal had looked comfortable but were cursing their luck when Merino was adjudged to have blocked a flick-on by Mehdi Taremi and Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs pointed to the spot.
A VAR check could not save Arsenal and there was never any doubt that penalty wizard Calhanoglu would beat David Raya.
Inter were content to soak up pressure in the second half with Arsenal lacking the invention to break them down.
Arsenal have now won only two of their last six games in all competitions although the sight of captain Martin Odegaard coming off the bench late on after a lengthy injury absence offered a silver lining for the travelling fans in the San Siro.
Inter Milan vs Arsenal latest news
- Controversial Inter penalty sinks Arsenal inside San Siro
- Arsenal ratings: Trossard out of form as Havertz wastes good chance
- Arsenal can feel aggrieved by penalty but Inter defeat sums up season
- Arteta provides Havertz injury update as Arsenal boss explains Merino substitution
- Arteta frustrated as penalty call goes against Arsenal in 'best game' in years
- Arteta fires Chelsea warning after Arsenal's Champions League defeat
Good night!
23:48 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
Find our report, ratings, reaction and analysis below!
Arteta fires Chelsea warning after Arsenal's Champions League defeat
23:46 , Jonathan GorrieMikel Arteta fired a warning to Chelsea after Arsenal’s Champions League defeat at Inter Milan on Wednesday night.
The Gunners lost for the first time in Europe this season after Hakan Calhanoglu converted a controversial penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Arteta frustrated as penalty call goes against Arsenal in 'best game' in years
23:27 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned his side being denied what he felt was a clear penalty as they suffered defeat at Inter Milan.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Inter thanks to a penalty from midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu on the stroke of half-time.
Arteta was aggrieved by that, feeling it was harsh to adjudged Mikel Merino had handled the ball, and he also felt Arsenal should have had a penalty of their own before then.
Arteta provides Havertz injury update as Arsenal boss explains Merino substitution
23:12 , Jonathan GorrieKai Havertz is a doubt for Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
The striker was forced off during the final moments of the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Havertz clashed with Yann Bisseck when competing for a header and left the field with blood pouring from his head.
Arsenal can feel aggrieved by penalty but Inter defeat sums up season
22:36 , Jonathan GorrieIn many ways, this was a performance that summed up Arsenal’s season so far.
Solid defensively, on the wrong side of a contentious refereeing decision - but ultimately lacking a cutting and ruthless edge in attack.
This was always likely to be a tight game given Arsenal and Inter Milan came into it having both not conceded in the Champions League this season.
Read Simon’s full report here!
Arsenal ratings: Trossard out of form as Havertz wastes good chance
22:10 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal slipped to their first defeat in the Champions League this season as they were beaten by Inter Milan.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored the only goal of the game, slotting home a penalty just before the end of the first-half.
Inter won the penalty after midfielder Mikel Merino was adjudged to have handled the ball when defending a free-kick.
Arsenal once again struggled for creativity and for the second game in a row they failed to find the back of the net.
Here is how Simon Collings rated the Arsenal players...
Controversial Inter penalty sinks Arsenal inside San Siro
22:03 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal lost their first Champions League game of the season following a controversial penalty scored by Hakan Calhanoglu on the stroke of half-time.
FT: Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
22:01It’s over!
A frustrating night for the Gunners, who lose for the first time in this competition this season.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
22:00 , Jonathan Gorrie07 mins: More pressure from Arsenal but Inter clear once again.
That should be it...
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:54 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: Here comes Odegaard!
He replaces Havertz, who needed treatment after a clash of heads. Thankfully, he looks ok.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:52 , Jonathan Gorrie89 mins: An awful lot of the ball from Arsenal in the closing stages but Inter are dealing with it.
A frustrating night for the Gunners.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:45 , Jonathan Gorrie82 mins: It’s all Arsenal now but Inter do not look too fussed.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:45 , Jonathan Gorrie82 mins: On comes Nwaneri for his Champions League debut.
Can he help salvage something?
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:37 , Jonathan Gorrie74 mins. What. A, Chance.
Pavard fails to clear Trossard’s ball and it finds its way to Havertz but the German’s shot is blocked by Bisseck.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:36 , Jonathan Gorrie74 mins: Arsenal have had 13 corners here without much success.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:33 , Jonathan Gorrie69 mins: Dumfries fires a volley wide after a lovely little set-up from Barrela.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
21:29 , Jonathan Gorriet will be intriguing to see if Arteta throws Odegaard on here. The temptation will surely be present, but he's literally had one full training session.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:27 , Jonathan Gorrie64 mins: Arteta booked for throwing the ball, when it hadn’t gone out of play, to an Arsenal player to take a throw-in.
There was millimeters in it.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:22 , Jonathan Gorrie58 mins: CHANCE!
What first appeared to be a cross from Havertz almost hits the top corner but Sommer scrambles and pushes it round the post!
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:20 , Jonathan Gorrie57 mins: OFF THE LINE!
Dumfries clears a Saka right off the line in Arsenal’s best chance of the game.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:19 , Jonathan Gorrie56 mins: Saying that, Saka has just put in a lovely cross but Pavard does brilliantly to clear.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:18 , Jonathan Gorrie55 mins: Arsenal grew into the game in the first half following a poor start but haven’t really got going after the break.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
21:15 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal really lacked a spark in that first-half, and Jesus should bring that. Credit to Arteta, too, as he was too slow to change it at Newcastle on Saturday.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:12 , Jonathan Gorrie48 mins: Saliba really should do better to connect with a corner but misjudges the flight of the ball and cannot get there.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:10 , Jonathan Gorrie47 mins: Perhaps Arsenal can use the controversy of the decision to raise the tempo a bit.
It’s been a bit flat, admittedly from both teams.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:09 , Jonathan Gorrie46 mins: Worth noting, of course, that the decision to award Inter a penalty looked very harsh indeed.
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:08 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
21:04 , Jonathan GorrieThe decision and the goal...
Hakan Calhanoglu gives Inter Milan the lead from the spot 🎯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2024
Arsenal might feel hard done by after the penalty was awarded for handball 🤚
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/kzA7Mm58sL
HT: Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
20:51 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: Calhanoglu’s late penalty the difference!
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
20:50 , Jonathan GorrieA goal that, perhaps, sums up the funk Arsenal are in right now. Not much Merino could do there, he knows little about it, but a penalty is given and Arsenal are behind.
GOAL! Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal | Hakan Calhanoglu '45
20:4945 mins: GOAL!
The Inter star fires straight down the middle!
PENALTY TO INTER
20:48 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: Merino punished as Taremi’s attempt at a volley hits his hand!
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:46 , Jonathan Gorrie44 mins: Calhanoglu does not go in the book for delaying a corner...
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:42 , Jonathan Gorrie41 mins: Ben White does brilliantly to deny Taremi a back post header.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:38 , Jonathan Gorrie35 mins: Arsenal have really grown into this.
While they are hardly carving Inter open, they’ve certainly settled since a shaky opening few minutes.
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
20:31 , Jonathan GorrieOne of the weird quirks of football, that. If that was a mistimed tackle, it's a penalty. Sommer a lucky man.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:30 , Jonathan Gorrie28 mins: No penalty...
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:30 , Jonathan Gorrie28 mins: Brilliant ball from Martinelli.
Sommer comes for it but Merino beats him, with the midfielder crashing down to the floor.
We have a VAR check...
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:27 , Jonathan Gorrie25 mins: As flat as its been, Saka and Martinelli have looked likely in the rare chance they get to run at Inter’s full-backs.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:2421 mins: It would be fair to say this one is yet to get going.
Arsenal have improved from the opening few minutes but neither side have created much since then,
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
20:18 , Jonathan GorrieThe first 15 minutes showing just why these two sides have scored eight goals between them in six Champions League games this season.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:15 , Jonathan Gorrie13 mins: Great defending from Trossard to deny Martinez after Inter build up a head of steam.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:09 , Jonathan Gorrie07 mins: Yet to see much from Arsenal here.
Going to be a long night if it stays like this.
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:04 , Jonathan Gorrie03 mins: Zielinski robs Partey and finds Calhanoglu, who fires just wide.
Not a great start for the Gunners...
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
20:04 , Jonathan Gorrie01 mins: OFF THE BAR!
Taremi’s cross find its way to Dumfries, who sees his right-footed outside of the boot shot crash off the bar!
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Jonathan GorrieAway we go!
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
19:53 , Jonathan GorrieWe are closing in on kick-off!
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
19:46 , Jonathan GorrieWhat Arsenal can expect this evening!
"Inter play some of the best flowing attacking football in Europe!" 🤩@JamesHorncastle heaps praise on Inter Milan and compares their current side to the Champions League runners-up from 2023 ⚫️🔵
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/o29DUM3Pl3
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
19:28 , Jonathan GorrieA big night awaits...
Focused. pic.twitter.com/cRBKONWEYU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 6, 2024
Standard Sport's Simon Collings
19:23 , Jonathan GorrieBoth these sides have big games at the weekend - Arsenal play Chelsea and Inter face Napoli - but it's the Italian side who have rested players. Most notably, Bastoni and Barella on the bench is a boost for Arsenal.
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
19:12 , Jonathan GorrieHere come the hosts!
The boys are in the building 🖤💙#ForzaInter #UCL #InterArsenal pic.twitter.com/d9fYUiZ4Ba
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) November 6, 2024
A big boost for Arsenal
19:01 , Jonathan GorrieMartin Odegaard is fit enough to return to the bench for Arsenal this evening in a major boost for Mikel Arteta.
Confirmed Inter Milan lineup
18:58Inter XI: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bisseck, Dumfries; Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Darmian; Taremi, Lautaro
Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, Arnautovic, huram, Acerbi, Buchanan, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Dimarco, Bastoni
Confirmed Arsenal lineup
18:51 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Saka, Partey, Merino, Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Setford, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Robinson, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Odegaard Butler-Oyedeji, Sterling, Jesus
Mikel Arteta confirms Declan Rice injury latest ahead of Inter Milan and Chelsea double-header
18:34 , Jonathan GorrieArsenal midfielder Declan Rice will miss their clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday and is a doubt for Sunday’s showdown at Chelsea.
Rice injured his foot during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday and he was absent from training on Tuesday morning.
Arsenal should look to Man City in search for Edu replacement
17:58 , Jonathan GorrieThe resignation of Arsenal's sporting director Edu on Monday appeared to catch everyone at the club and in the wider game by surprise.
As recently as mid-September, when Arsenal announced a new long-term contract for head coach Mikel Arteta, Edu went on record about his "strong belief in what we want to achieve together" and, as one of the 'Invincibles', he felt far more emotionally-invested in the club than your average ambitious executive.
Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal and Manchester United among transfer options for Sporting star
17:47 , Jonathan GorrieViktor Gyokeres is one of the most talked about and in-demand strikers in European football.
The Sporting Lisbon frontman continued his blistering start to the season with a hat-trick in their 4-1 Champions League win against Manchester City on Tuesday.
That treble took his goalscoring record to an extraordinary 27 goals in 21 games for Sporting and Sweden this season.
Bukayo Saka remains confident of Arsenal glory despite 'a lot of noise'
17:39 , Jonathan GorrieBukayo Saka has not lost any faith that Arsenal can finish this season with silverware.
The Gunners are currently on a poor run of form after failing to win any of their previous three Premier League games.
Arsenal have slipped to fifth in the League and they are seven points off leaders Liverpool.
Read his comments in full here!
Mikel Arteta's 'blood pumping' as Arsenal seek Inter win to clear storm clouds
17:37 , Jonathan GorrieIf Mikel Arteta wants to inspire his players ahead of a trip to the San Siro, then he needed only play them the highlights of Arsenal’s last clash with Inter Milan.
Back in 2003, the Gunners dismantled Inter 5-1 in their own backyard on one of the club’s greatest European nights.
Read the full match preview here!
Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:36 , Jonathan GorrieInter Milan wins: 1
Draws: 0
Arsenal wins: 1
Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Champions League score prediction today
17:32 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s a difficult task for Arsenal, made even harder with the absence of Declan Rice, with Inter on a hugely convincing run of form.
The hosts’ defence can be got at, though, which will give Mikel Arteta hope of coming away from the San Siro with at least a point.
Draw, 1-1.
Arsenal team news vs Inter Milan today
17:31 , Jonathan GorrieMartin Odegaard could tonight make his first appearance for Arsenal since August as the Gunners take on Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The Arsenal captain has been out of action with an ankle injury picked up playing for Norway at the start of September.
Odegaard, however, trained with his Arsenal team-mates on Tuesday morning and could make his comeback at the San Siro in what is a huge Champions League clash for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Inter Milan team news vs Arsenal today
17:31 , Jonathan GorrieThe hosts are missing Carlos Augusto, while Alessandro Bastoni is reportedly a doubt too.
How to watch Inter Milan vs Arsenal: TV channel and live stream for Champions League today
17:30 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
17:15 , Jonathan GorrieGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan.
Kick-off inside San Siro is at 8pm GMT.
