Arsenal face a difficult battle to automatically qualify for the next round of the Champions League after falling to a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan. A controversial penalty converted by Hakan Calhanoglu in first-half added-time inflicted the Gunners’ first European defeat of the campaign.
This was another disjointed Arsenal performance punctuated by several poor displays from those in attack. However, Arsenal will argue that the spot-kick awarded for handball against Mikel Merino would never have been given in a domestic competition, where there is a greater importance placed on the distance the ball has travelled before striking the arm.
One positive for Mikel Arteta was the reintroduction of Martin Odegaard after two months out with an ankle injury. The Norwegian’s late arrival could not help a stuttering Arsenal team, though. A tough Premier League test against Chelsea awaits, with Arteta needing a drastic improvement.
Here is how Express Sport rated the Arsenal players, with three players scoring four out of 10.
David Raya – 5
Raya had little to do at San Siro aside from picking Calhanoglu’s penalty out of his own net. The Spaniard was sent the wrong way by Calhanoglu.
Ben White – 5
Arsenal’s defenders can point the blame further up the pitch for this defeat. White and his defensive colleagues did little wrong.
William Saliba – 5
Saliba and defensive partner Gabriel dealt well with the joint threat of Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi.
Gabriel – 5
After a below-par display against Newcastle at the weekend, this was much better from the Arsenal centre-back.
Jurrien Timber – 5
Timber’s versatility has been hugely useful for Arsenal this season. The Dutchman generally won his battles on the left flank but was unable to find space to invert into midfield.
Thomas Partey – 5
Partey did well enough in midfield. Arsenal’s problems lie further forward.
Mikel Merino – 4
Arsenal are lacking midfield quality at the moment and Merino is the latest star to struggle in the absence of Odegaard, who will still take time to build his match fitness. The Spaniard was hugely unfortunate to concede a penalty for handball but otherwise struggled to have an impact on the game. He was taken off at half-time, with Arteta keen to get a recognised striker in Gabriel Jesus on the pitch.
Is Saka still carrying the hamstring issue that hampered his September? To his credit, the England winger has tried desperately to create in matches against Newcastle and Inter but his performances have largely been passive. He was too easily isolated by Inter’s tight back five.
Leandro Trossard – 4
Arsenal need more from the man effectively replacing Odegaard’s spark. The Belgian did not do enough to link up with Kai Havertz and was often positioned too far away from the Gunners forward.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Martinelli has endured a slow start to this season and, at 23, must begin to stamp his authority on matches on a more frequent basis. He lacks the drive and tenacity with which he burst onto the scene in the Premier League aged 18.
Havertz’s clever movement earned him Arsenal’s two best chances, with the forward having two efforts blocked right in front of goal. He suffered a clash of heads late on and was taken off injured.
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus (for Merino, ‘46) – 5
Jesus was a better partner for Havertz in the second half, with Trossard dropping slightly deeper.
Ethan Nwaneri (for Trossard, ‘82) – N/A
A Champions League debut for the 17-year-old but there was little time – or space against a compact Inter – to make a difference. His best moment was a wonderful turn and an effort he fired high and wide.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Timber, ‘82) – N/A
Came on at left-back but had little time to make an impact.
Martin Odegaard (for Havertz, ’90+2) – N/A
Odegaard had around three minutes on the pitch but his introduction was a significant moment in Arsenal’s season. Arteta needs his captain fit and firing as soon as possible as those who have played in his absence have misfired.