SETTABLOID

Arsenal were the victims of two controversial refereeing decisions during Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown with Italian giants Inter Milan.

The Gunners travelled to Italy looking to take a huge step towards qualification for the next round – after winning two of their first three games of the league phase.

However, Mikel Arteta’s men found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after referee Istvan Kovacs awarded Inter a penalty for handball. Hakan Calhanoglu’s free-kick into the box deflected off Mehdi Taremii – and on to the hand of summer signing Mikel Merino.

Despite the midfielder’s arm seemingly in a natural position, VAR stuck with the on-field decision and Calhanoglu fired down the middle to put the home team ahead.

Inter’s opener came shortly after Arsenal were denied a spot-kick themselves. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer wiped Merino out in the air as the Spaniard contested a delivery into the box.

Mikel Arteta has explained why Mikel Merino was taken off at half-time during Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

The Gunners dominated much of the match against the Serie A side but ultimately lost 1-0 following a Hakan Calhanoglu spot kick on the stroke of half time. Merino was judged to have handled the ball in the area and referee Istvan Kovacs did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Merino was replaced at half-time for Gabriel Jesus and Arteta revealed after the match that it was because the Spaniard was feeling the effects of an incident involving Yann Sommer midway through the first half. The Inter goalkeeper clattered Merino with his fists following a Gabriel Martinelli cross, with Merino getting his head to the ball and Sommer catching the midfielder in the head.

Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season as they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

It’s the Gunners’ first defeat in the competition this season after they won two of their first three games before the trip to Italy. Hakan Calhanoglu’s first-half penalty was the difference after Mikel Merino was penalised for handball.

Mikel Arteta’s men threw everything at the Serie A champions but were unable to find a leveller. The defeat comes just four days after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, meaning they have failed to score in their last two games.

The north Londoners must now turn their attention to Sunday’s London derby with Chelsea. The Blues have improved under Enzo Maresca and currently find themselves above Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Chelsea (A) – Premier League – Sunday, November 10

Yes, that’s right… Arsenal have ANOTHER away game. That’s four in a row. It’s unfortunate, and this run could make or break the Gunners’ season. They’ll need their travelling fans to be right behind them every step of the way.

Nott’m Forest (H) – Premier League – Saturday, November 23

Back on home soil – after four successive away days – Arsenal will be delighted to return to the Emirates Stadium. Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a spectacular start to the Premier League season; defeating Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has proven to be no mean feat.

Sporting CP (A) – Champions League – Tuesday, November 26

Unfortunately for the Gunners, they’re back on the road. While Sporting might be without Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim by then, the Portuguese outfit still have Viktor Gyokeres in their armoury – and he’s been firing them in once again this season.

West Ham (A) – Premier League – Saturday, November 30

Surprise, surprise… Arsenal have another away day! With so many fixtures in the calendar, Arteta will be expected to heavily rotate his side. The festive period could be the perfect opportunity for the likes of star youngster, Ethan Nwaneri, to establish himself in the starting line-up.

Man United (H) – Premier League – Wednesday, December 4

December starts with Arsenal taking on a new-look United with Ruben Amorim. The Gunners have enjoyed plenty of success against the Red Devils in recent years but there is high expectation at Old Trafford with the new head coach. By the time they visit the Emirates Stadium, they could be a fierce competitor.

Arsenal’s poor run of results continued with a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan despite a spirited performance at the San Siro. The Gunners got off to a tough start and could have been behind inside the opening 90 seconds when Denzel Dumfries struck the crossbar with a superb outside of the foot effort.

Arsenal grew into it though and could have been in front when Mikel Merino headed just wide under pressure from Yann Sommer.

Right on the stroke of half time Merino would be left to rue the miss even further after conceding a harsh penalty when Mehdi Taremi’s close-range flick hit him on the arm. Despite a lengthy VAR check Hakan Calhanoglu was able to keep his cool and tuck the spot kick away.

Arsenal look to be continuing with their pre-existing transfer plans despite the fact Edu will be leaving his role as the club’s sporting director. A statement on Monday announced the decision with the Brazilian expected to take up a role as CEO in the multi-club model of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

One of their aims in the final weeks of the summer window was to acquire a new winger with Nico Williams the priority target. Having impressed in Spain’s European championship triumph, many other European clubs were also interested with Barcelona leading the race until he decided to stay at Athletic Bilbao.

The date and time for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace has been confirmed.

The Gunners will play the Eagles for a place in the semi-finals of the competition next month, having already beaten Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End in the competition. The EFL confirmed on Wednesday that the quarter-final tie will be played on Wednesday, December 18, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Arsenal can make a real statement on Wednesday evening if they manage to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Both sides have started the 2024/25 Champions League campaign impressively, winning two and drawing one of their opening league phase matches. If the Gunners are going to come away with something, they must do so without Declan Rice.

The midfielder did not train with his teammates on Tuesday and did not make the trip to Italy with the rest of the squad. Mikel Arteta revealed in his pre-match press conference that the England international has been nursing a foot injury since Saturday’s clash at Newcastle.

There is positive news regarding Martin Odegaard, however. The Gunners captain trained as normal on Tuesday and could feature for the first time since the end of August at the San Siro.

Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain out injured, however, which means Arteta is guaranteed to be without four senior Arsenal players for the clash against Inter.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to sell defender Jakub Kiwior in the January transfer window, with the fee needed to sign the Polish international now revealed.

Kiwior, 24, was signed in January 2023 as cover in the left-back position during an injury crisis for the Gunners, but has found minutes hard to come by this season.

Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna over the summer and he has moved ahead of Kiwior in the pecking order, who is reportedly becoming frustrated by his lack of opportunities.

Viktor Gyokeres is likely to be the name on everyone’s lips come the 2025 summer transfer window. The Swedish striker is having a second scintillating season for Sporting CP in the Portuguese league.

After smashing 43 goals in 50 games for Sporting last season, he already has 23 in 17 appearances this campaign. The latest of those 23 came against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Gyokeres hitting a hat-trick in the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The 26-year-old is hot property, having been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer. Arsenal were tipped to make a move, with Mikel Arteta in need of strengthening his forward line, but decided in the end not to go for an out-and-out striker.

Raheem Sterling ended up moving to the Emirates Stadium on loan, but the feeling around the red half of north London remains that they need another striker.

Gyokeres has a €100million (£83.2million) release clause that is rumoured to be dropped come the summer of 2025, which could make it easier for Arsenal to complete a deal. However, Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim making the move to become Manchester United head coach could throw a spanner in the works.

Chelsea and Liverpool were also linked with Gyokeres, as were Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, although City have Erling Haaland and Spurs splashed out £65million on Dominic Solanke this summer.

Bukayo Saka stands defiant amid Arsenal’s challenging week, believing silverware is still within reach this season despite recent setbacks. In a critical stretch for the Gunners with a midweek clash against Inter Milan at San Siro and a weekend matchup at Chelsea following suit, they find themselves trailing in the title race and adjusting to the departure of sporting director Edu.

Despite these trials and three games without a Premier League victory, England winger Saka maintains that the team’s confidence.

Wearing the captain’s armband in Martin Odegaard’s injury absence, Saka expressed his unwavering confidence.

Despite acknowledging the ‘noise’ surrounding Arsenal after a string of unfavourable results, Saka emphasised the importance of calmness and focus within the squad: “If you look at our squad, the quality we have, the players we have and at the same time we’re only in November so I don’t think I’ve lost any belief, I don’t think anyone will change it if I have to. “Obviously there’s a lot of noise around the club and we lost two games and drew another one.”

Arsenal have enjoyed life in the Champions League so far this season. The Gunners have kickstarted their Euro run with a promising two victories and a tie, and now they are set for the glamorous face-off with Inter Milan.