Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal (November 6, 2024) Match analysis

Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoglu maintained his incredible penalty record as his spot-kick secured the Italians a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Neither team had conceded a goal in the first three games of the competition, but just before half-time Arsenal’s defense was unfortunately left in disarray following a harsh handball decision against Mikel Merino.

Çalhanoglu has scored 19 of 19 penalties in all competitions since joining Inter.

Arsenal laid siege to the Inter goal in the second half when Kai Havertz was denied by home goalkeeper Yann Sommer and another shot was deflected just wide, but Inter defended superbly and took 10 points from four games.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had 14 attempts on goal in the second half but lacked creativity and are now seven points outside the top eight, which automatically qualify for the knockout stages.

They have now lost three of their last six games in all competitions, including defeats in the Premier League against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.

The first meeting between the two clubs in 21 years began with Inter on top and they were denied an early goal when Denzil Dumfries smashed a wild shot against the crossbar.

Çalhanoglu then went close before the game became a subdued affair with neither team taking any risks.

Arsenal appeared comfortable but cursed their luck when Merino was adjudged blocked by Mehdi Taremi and Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs pointed to the penalty.

A VAR check couldn’t save Arsenal and there was never any doubt that penalty wizard Calhanoglu would beat David Raya.

Inter were content to soak up the pressure in the second half as Arsenal lacked the ingenuity to break it.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.