UCL: Inter narrowly beat Arsenal thanks to Calhanoglu's penalty
One of the most intriguing confrontations on Wednesday in the Champions League was the game between Inter and Arsenal.
Inter started the first half powerfully. Dumfries hit the crossbar and not even a minute later Calkhanoglu shot from distance past the post.
Arsenal had one more or less dangerous moment, when Merino after Martinelli's cross shot past the goal and received a fist in the head from Sommer.
In the added time for the first half, Arsenal were awarded a penalty for Merino's hand. Raya fell in the corner and Çalhanoglu hit a low shot down the centre to open the scoring.
After the break, Arsenal added significantly to their attack and had no less than three chances to restore the balance. In the 58th minute, Gabriel headed the ball into the goal, but Sommer reached and Dumfries cleared the ball off the line. A minute later Sommer stopped ball after Havertz's shot. And later the German missed another chance.
In the 82nd minute Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Timber. The Ukrainian made two dozen touches of the ball, three crosses into the penalty area, but did not help Arsenal to save themselves.
1:0 in favour of Inter, which together with another Italian side Atalanta remains the club that has not yet conceded in the current Champions League.
Arsenal conceded for the first time and suffered their first defeat.
2024-25 UEFA Champions League
Inter - Arsenal 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Çalhanoğlu, 45 (1:0)
Inter: Sommer; Bisseck; Darmian; de Vrij; Dumfries; Pavard; Zielinski P. (Mkhitaryan, 62); Frattesi (Barella, 62); Çalhanoğlu (Asllani K., 71); Martínez L. (Thuram M., 62); Taremi (Dimarco, 79)
Bench: Di Gennaro; Martínez J-p; Acerbi; Bastoni; Buchanan T.; Arnautovic
Yellow Cards: Martínez L. 15; Barella 68
Arsenal: Raya; Gabriel M.; Saliba; Timber J. (Zinchenko, 82); White B.; Merino (Gabriel Jesus, 46); Partey T.; Saka B.; Havertz (Odegaard, 90); Martinelli; Trossard (Nwaneri, 82)
Bench: Neto; Setford; Kiwior; Robinson J.; Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho; Sterling; Butler-Oyedeji
Yellow Cards: Gabriel M. 15; Gabriel Jesus 68
