Match Preview: Inter Milan vs Arsenal
We travel to Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as we look to build on our undefeated start in the competition.
After an underwhelming opening ten games in the Premier League, we are left 5th in the table and seven points off the pace. We will be looking at the Champions League as an opportunity to provide a change in fortunes.
On the opening matchweek of the Champions League, we travelled to Bergamo as we faced Atalanta in a goalless draw. David Raya was the hero of the night after saving Atalanta forward Retegui's penalty in the second half. A fortnight later, we beat French giants Paris Saint-Germain at home after first-half goals from Saka and Havertz. Shakhtar Donetsk travelled to North London in our last Champions League encounter when we beat them narrowly by a goal to nil.
Outstanding Inter
With only one defeat in eleven league games, Inter have established themselves as title favourites in Italy. This would see them secure back-to-back league titles for the first time since they won five on the bounce between 2005 and 2010.
Inter have also matched our unbeaten start in the Champions League with two wins and a draw. An impressive 0-0 draw against Manchester City away on the opening matchweek was followed by wins over FK Crevena Zvezda and Young Boys.
Last time out against Inter
Our last meeting with Inter was at the San Siro in November 2003. We won the game 5-1 after netting four second half goals.
We took the lead in the first half after an intricate move was delightfully finished by our greatest-ever player Thierry Henry. However, less than ten minutes later, Inter striker Christian Vieri found space on the left-hand side of the box and his strike deflected off Sol Campbell which looped over goalkeeper Lehmann. The first half concluded with a goal each.
The Gunners came out flying in the second half as Freddie Ljungberg's left-footed finish fired us back into the lead within four minutes.
Thierry Henry secured a sensational result for us in Milan after his thunderous left-footed strike found the bottom right-hand corner in the 86th minute. Two even later goals from Edu and Robert Pires made the score 5-1 in what was an unforgettable night at the San Siro.
What the managers say
Mikel Arteta:
On Inter's strengths: "I think they have a really clear idea and identity and that is for me the biggest strength of Inter and that's full credit to their manager.”
On what his message would be to uncertain and worried fans at this point: "Stick together, bring positive energy and move forward. This is part of football and we have to be very strong.”
Simone Inzaghi:
On the match against Arsenal: "We're facing one of the best teams in Europe, with a very respected coach. They went point-for-point with Manchester City in the last two seasons in England.”
On the new Champions League format: "It's much more difficult for us coaches, even more so for players. Previously, you had to prepare for three teams, so until February those three teams were all you had to concentrate on, it was easier. Now you have to think about eight different games.”
Team News
Arsenal have confirmed that club captain Martin Odegaard has returned to full training. The Norwegian midfielder has only made three appearances for Arsenal this season having been sidelined with an ankle injury since the September international break.
Defensive trio Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori and Kieran Tierney remain out but will aim to return after the next international break.
Declan Rice has not travelled with the squad to Milan as a precaution. Arteta confirmed that he picked up an injury in our defeat to Newcastle. Arsenal's staff did not want to take any risk as he will be assessed ahead of the Chelsea game this weekend.
Inter boss Inzaghi has confirmed that Alessandro Bastoni is fit and available for selection after going off with cramp against Venezia at the weekend.
Statistics and Facts
We have failed to score in each of our last four away Champions League games in Italy. (v Atalanta, v Napoli, v AC Milan, v Roma)
Arsenal and Inter are both yet to concede a single goal in the competition this season.
Inter have never kept four clean sheets in a row in Champions League/European Cup history (currently have three in a row).
Inter have the oldest average starting eleven in the 2024-25 Champions League (30 years, 139 days).
Only Atalanta (4) have faced fewer shots on target in the Champions League this season than Arsenal (5).
All three of our Champions League goals have come in the first half.
Match Officials
Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs will officiate our match against Inter Milan. He regularly officiates games in the Romanian first division, SuperLiga.
This will be the second Champions League match he has refereed this season. His first came in matchday three when Real Madrid met Borussia Dortmund. He only produced one yellow card in this game.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs – Romanian
Assistants: Mihai Marica – Romanian, Fernecz Tunyogi – Romanian
Fourth Official: Horatiu Fesnic – Romanian
VAR: Christian Dingert – German
Assistant VAR: Catalin Popa – Romanian