Arsenal's latest hard luck story leaves Gunners' season in serious danger of unravelling
Arsenal were dealt their first Champions League loss of the season as Inter Milan seized on a controversial penalty call - which means Mikel Arteta's poor run of form continues
by John Cross · The MirrorIt was another hard luck story for Mikel Arteta.
And now Arsenal’s season feels like it is in serious danger of unravelling after a second defeat in the space of five days which also makes it three defeats in six games for the Gunners.
They were unlucky in the San Siro as they found themselves on the wrong end of two big penalty decisions and their performance deserved far more than yet another setback. But there was still no escaping that Arsenal looked jaded, they were lacking the sharpness they had earlier in the season and their finishing was so wasteful.
This disastrous run is taking its toll on Arsenal’s confidence and they now look like a team lacking in belief particularly in the final third.
Arsenal are letting in goals, not taking their chances and, after defeat at Newcastle on Saturday left them seven points behind in the title race, this was a major setback in the Champions League.
Sadly for Arteta, the reaction he wanted did not come in the San Siro and another defeat in Sunday’s London derby at Chelsea could effectively end their title challenge.
They will be cursing two big penalty decisions - both involving Mikel Merino - but the officials did not give one when Inter keeper Yann Sommer clattered the Arsenal midfielder.
And then gave one against Merino for a harsh, point blank handball offence which would surely not be given in the Premier League. Hakan Calhanoglu’s spot kick ultimately proved decisive.
Everything seems to be going against Arsenal right now and even Edu’s departure this week as sporting director just plays into the sense of growing concerns. The loyal band of travelling Arsenal fans up in the Gods of this historic stadium stayed with their players as they could see them give everything while Arteta was booked in the second half for moaning at the officials.
You could almost understand Arteta’s frustrations because Inter were masters at slowing the game down and defending their slender lead even when Arsenal piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser in the second half.
But Arsenal could not find a way through and did not heed warnings when Inter wing back Denzel Dumfries crashed a shot against the crossbar and it was also clear Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was not going to stand for any nonsense. Kovacs booked Gabriel and Lautaro Martinez for pushing an shoving at an Arsenal corner which happens a dozen times in every Premier League game.
Then the referee did not give a penalty after Inter keeper Sommer took the ball and the man when he punched Gabriel Martinelli’s cross as Merino went for a header. It will divide opinion but Sommer was lucky to escape.
Just when it looked like Arsenal were in control, Inter took the lead against the run of play in first half injury time. Calhanoglu put a free kick into the Arsenal box, Inter striker Mehdi Taremi flicked it on and it hit Merino’s arm at point blank range and, while it was raised, it was not in an unnatural position.
It would not have been given in the Premier League but harsh handball decisions have become standard in the Champions League. Calhanoglu drove the spot kick down the middle to put Inter ahead. Arsenal brought on Gabriel Jesus for Merino at half time but just could not find a way past the well organised Italian champions.
Jesus should have scored a headed chance, Gabriel had an effort cleared off the line by Dumfries and Sommer produced a brilliant save to deny Kai Havertz who also saw a close range shot blocked.
Havertz then went off injured with a bloody head wound after a clash of heads with Yann Bisseck which just about summed up Arsenal’s night.
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