Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains determined to steer his team out of a challenging period following a narrow 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in a controversial Champions League clash at the San Siro. The defeat, marked by a disputed penalty call, has added to the pressure on a Gunners side struggling to keep pace both domestically and in Europe this season.
Wednesday’s loss saw Arsenal dominate possession and create multiple scoring opportunities, but they were ultimately undone by Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in first-half stoppage time, awarded after Mikel Merino was penalized for a handball. Despite 20 attempts on goal, Arsenal couldn’t break through Inter’s defense, marking their most shots without scoring in a Champions League game since 2006.
Arteta defended his players’ effort and voiced his frustration with the officiating, particularly regarding the penalty decision. “The result is the hardest part to accept,” Arteta said. “The performance and attitude were there against one of Europe’s strongest teams. It’s frustrating because we had two calls against us, one of which was clear as Merino was struck in the head.”
The defeat at Inter comes on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Newcastle in the Premier League, making it two consecutive setbacks for Arsenal. Arteta’s side has won just twice in their last six games across all competitions, with those victories coming against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and Championship side Preston in the League Cup. Arsenal now sits fifth in the Premier League, seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool, adding extra urgency to Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea.
Injuries have also hampered Arsenal’s progress this season. Captain Martin Odegaard, known for his creativity and pressing, has missed several weeks and only returned as a late substitute against Inter. Key players like Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have also been sidelined, while red cards for Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard have left Arteta with a depleted squad.
Adding to the off-field turmoil, Arsenal recently saw their sporting director, Edu, depart for Nottingham Forest. Edu, who had been a key figure alongside Arteta in reshaping Arsenal’s squad since 2019, was instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence as title contenders. Arteta acknowledged the void left by Edu, saying, “He was crucial for me; I loved working with him. He’s been part of this journey from the beginning, and he’s left a mark.”
Despite these challenges, Arteta maintains faith in his team’s potential. “If we play as we did tonight, we have a strong chance against Chelsea,” he stated, adding that he had conveyed his pride in the team’s performance to his players. “We’re disappointed, but I’m confident we’ll turn things around.”
Arsenal, still chasing their first English title since 2004, face mounting expectations. While Arteta’s optimism is clear, his team must quickly regroup if they hope to keep their ambitions for the season alive.
