UCL: Internazionale v Arsenal

Mikel, hands behind your back!

Champions League leaders, Arsenal, visit Inter Milan for the second year running. Last year’s match was decided by a “it’s a handball in Europe” penalty. This time around, Mikel Arteta comes into the match as favorite. He will have to weigh rectifying the previous result with this campaign’s priorities.

Cristian Chivu’s Inter Milan are top of Serie A and sixth in the Champions League. They have lost their last two matches in Europe, but they are unbeaten in their last eleven domestic fixtures. It will be a strong side from Inter: Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will lead the line in a front two. Key players Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries are recovering from injuries and may not feature in this match. A win or draw would almost certainly mean Inter have finished top eight.

Arsenal are the only side in the Champions League with six wins from six, only conceding once.  After two unimpressive scoreless draws on the domestic front, they head to Italy to play their fourth away fixture in ten days. With a home tie against resurgent Manchester United next in the PL, Arsenal will have to consider moderate rotation for the match, knowing that simply avoiding defeat will secure them top spot, as their final match against FC Kairat is largely expected to be a formality and three points. This could be an opportunity for fringe players like Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze, and Christian Nørgaard to feature.

Can Arsenal strike the right balance ahead of a massive domestic fixture? Or will Inter get the better of Arsenal for the second year in a row? Knock off work early on Tuesday and head to Dillon’s. We’ll be there. We’ll be singing. Will you?

VCC


UTA

KEEP THE FAITH ✊