Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted his side were let down by the officials as the Gunners fell to their first loss in the Champions League this season.
A Hakan Calhanoglu penalty on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference as, at a typically raucous San Siro stadium, Inter inflicted upon Arsenal their second successive 1-0 loss.
The result comes just days after the Gunners’ loss to Newcastle in the Premier League and leaves Arsenal 12th in the new-look Champions League format.
Stuttering performances on the pitch have also been compounded by the surprise resignation of sporting director Edu, which has cast further question marks over the club’s title hopes.
Inter, meanwhile, are up to fifth in the table following a dogged defensive display in front of their home fans.
■ 7 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool
■ 12th in the Champions LeagueArsenal suffer back-to-back defeats ❌ pic.twitter.com/RsPCr6ofUS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2024
Despite the defeat, the Gunners boss said he was proud of his players but felt his side were ultimately let down by key decisions that went against them.
Arteta argued his team should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer appeared to catch Mikel Merino when coming to punch away a cross.
“I feel like we were really harshly done tonight,” Arteta told TNT Sports.
“Especially if you are going to give a penalty in the other box you have to give the other one because he [Sommer] punches him [Merino) in the head.”
Speaking about the decision to award Inter a penalty, after the ball struck Merino’s arm, Arteta added: “It is just a deflection. There is no danger in the box.
“There is nothing you can do, the ball is very, very close to your body. So I don’t know how you can get away from it.
“But if you’re going to give that one, the other one has to 100% be a penalty.”
Should this have been a penalty for Arsenal? 🤔
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FKylgHRZOD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2024
Arsenal were without Declan Rice for the trip to Italy, after the midfielder picked up a knock in the defeat to Newcastle.
One boost for the Gunners, however, was the return of captain Martin Odegaard, who came on for the last five minutes of the game having sat out the last two months with injury.
Arsenal will be hoping to get their season back on track when they make the short trip to London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
