Inter Milan 1 – 0 Arsenal – Match report

A penalty in stoppage time in the first half condemned us to our first Champions League defeat of the season.

Mikel Merino was penalized when the ball hit his arm and Hakan Calhanoglu scored from 12 yards – Inter's only shot on goal of the night.

From then on we had the better game but were frustrated by the home team who have yet to concede a goal in this competition this season.

Kai Havertz had our best chance but his shot was deflected wide on a night where we were unable to convert our possession into goals.

Early terror

On our first visit to the cathedral of football, the Stadio San Siro, since 2018, it was the hosts who got off to a better start.

They attacked us early and within just two minutes right-back Denzel Dumfries hit the crossbar and David Raya was beaten. A minute later, Calhanoglu shot just wide from 20 meters away.

We had to weather an early storm in a lively atmosphere and it was only after fifteen minutes, when we won our first corner, that we could see the Italian champions' goal.

Our second corner turned out to be more dangerous. Bukayo Saka's inside swing was blocked by Yann Sommer under his own crossbar.

However, the two strikers Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi posed questions for our defense and Gabriel had to show excellent recovery speed to catch up with the latter before making a timely intervention as the Iranian was about to enter the penalty area.

We started to grow into the game. Saka cut into the box with his preferred left foot but didn't put enough power into his shot. Shortly before half an hour it was the first shot on goal from both sides.

Our push from set pieces caused problems and a cross from the pitch was deflected off Mikel Merino's head by Sommer's flying fist. There were requests for a penalty because the goalkeeper collided with our Spanish midfielder during a free throw.

Punishment pain

After initial nervousness, we had calmed down and every cross into Inter's penalty area caused panic in the home defense.

But just as we were trying to take some control of the game, we fell behind. Merino was unlucky to be penalized for a handball in the penalty area when the ball bounced his way and Calhanoglu converted from 12 yards. It was the first goal we conceded this Champions League season and also the last goal of the half.

It was Merino's last appearance of the evening; he was replaced by Gabriel Jesus during the break.

The momentum is increasing

Gabriel Martinelli shot into the side netting and William Saliba failed to get another corner as we started the second half positively.

After good work from Jesus, Saka saw his cross just barely flicked away by the oncoming Havertz. His next cross from a corner was even closer – it was cleared off the line at the far post.

Havertz was next to try his luck and Sommer climbed back to fend off his looping attempt.

Inter wanted to frustrate and disrupt the game at every opportunity and defended their lead as we put more pressure on them.

Havertz then had a wonderful chance when the ball fell to him centrally from eight meters away. He reacted well to block his shot, but it was deflected agonizingly wide of the goal.

Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko came on to try and salvage something from the game. We dominated possession, pushed Inter back, but couldn't force a breakthrough.

What's next?

Our UEFA Champions League season continues at the end of the month with top club Sporting Lisbon. Before that, however, we have Premier League games away at Chelsea and then at home to Nottingham Forest, either side of the international break.