Arsenal striker battle heats up as Gyokeres responds to Jesus double
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Gabriel Jesus is back, if not to his absolute best then at least to something resembling it. This was the Brazilian’s finest performance since his return from an 11-month injury absence and it served as a personal statement of intent, as if he was reminding Mikel Arteta of his class and demanding a place in every starting line-up from here on in.
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His match-winning performance came against serious opposition, too. Inter Milan were Champions League finalists last season and they are currently the best team in Italy. If Jesus can do it against them, he would argue, then he can certainly do it against Manchester United on Sunday.
The battle for Arsenal’s No 9 position is hotting up, and the competition can only help the team’s collective cause. You could see that in the second half here, when Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench and responded to his team-mate’s brace with a superb finish of his own. Perhaps the sight of Jesus on the pitch, and the fit-again Kai Havertz on the bench, had stoked the fire in the Swedish striker’s belly.
In his 74 minutes on the famous San Siro pitch, Jesus demonstrated all of the qualities that make him a unique option for Arteta. The two goals only told one part of the story, as he also roamed busily across the pitch to help the wingers and flew into tackle after tackle. At one point in the first half, in which he seemed almost possessed, Jesus launched into a successful sliding challenge near his own corner flag.
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“It’s a dream night,” he said. “When I was a kid, I watched a lot of Serie A. To be here in this stadium and score here, there are tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here. Everyone wants to start. I am a very respectful guy. I am not a kid anymore. I am 28, I understand football. I am very happy Vik came on and scored a goal. And I am confident Kai will score when he gets the chance.”
Arteta spent the first half of this season with only one recognised striker at his disposal. He now has three, and he was delighted that two of them scored. “If I had to write it, that would probably be it,” he said. “We have been missing Gabi a lot. We have different profiles in that position, and it only makes us better.”
The Brazilian’s two goals, followed by Gyokeres’s late strike, secured yet another Champions League victory for Arsenal, a club-record seventh in a row in this competition. It also confirmed a top-two finish in the league phase, which means they will have home advantage in the second leg throughout the knockout stages. That could prove to be a precious prize.
Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to score for Arsenal – Getty Images/David Price
It was not an entirely straightforward night, given the quality of the opposition and the challenging setting, but Arteta will regard this as further evidence of the strength of his squad. He left out a series of key players here, but still saw a performance that had all of the usual quality on and off the ball.
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In this season’s Champions League, Arsenal have thrashed Atlético Madrid, beaten Bayern Munich and now claimed an impressive victory at Inter. Arsenal truly are the team to fear in this competition, as they are in the Premier League. “We knew this was one of the best teams in Europe,” said Inter head coach Cristian Chivu. “In my opinion, Arsenal with Bayern Munich are the two best teams at the moment.”
Arsenal had three shots in the first two minutes and scored in the 10th, when Jurrien Timber’s mishit shot bobbled into the path of Jesus. The Brazilian’s finish was instinctively sharp, powered into the corner of Yann Sommer’s net. Jesus often looks at his best in these moments, when he plays off the cuff, rather than when he has too much time to ponder his next move.
It was almost too easy for Arsenal in the early stages, and perhaps some complacency crept in after their opener. Or Inter’s players worked out what they were supposed to be doing. Either way, the home side found a foothold and then quickly found an equaliser, as the lively Petar Sucic fired a glorious effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.
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This had already become a thrillingly open contest – far more open than the games Arsenal usually play against more conservative opposition in the Premier League – and both teams appeared vulnerable. Arsenal were reliant on intelligent defending from young Cristhian Mosquera, making his first appearance since an injury in early December, to keep Inter out.
Arsenal’s Cristhian Mosquera relished the physical battle with Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram – Reuters/Daniele Mascolo
At the other end, Jesus continued to buzz around with purpose, clearly buoyed by his early goal. His second was a far simpler finish: a header from underneath the crossbar after Leandro Trossard had headed Bukayo Saka’s corner back across goal. Set-piece again, as the Arsenal fans love to sing. Not even this formidable Italian defence had answers to the questions posed by Arsenal’s corners.
In the second half, Arsenal gradually gained complete control. The arrivals off the bench of Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice helped to solidify things, and then Gyokeres struck with probably his best goal for the club. The ball fell invitingly for him on the counter-attack, and his curled effort was an excellent response to Jesus. The battle is on.
10:22pm
Theo Walcott on Gabriel Jesus
“I have been impressed with how quickly (Gabriel) Jesus has responded to his knee injury. He is that kind of player that needs to be at 100% to be able to perform so for me, they would want to look after him and not re-establish that knee injury but of course he is going to want to play. But they are going to have to take the reins off slightly.”
10:20pm
Wayne Rooney on Amazon Prime
“If I was Gabriel Jesus now I would be saying ‘I want to start the game on Sunday’ (against Manchester United in the Premier League). He has come here, scored two goals and played really well tonight so if I was him, I would be putting it in the manager’s mind that I really want to play.
“Of course you respect your teammates but you want to be playing in the big games. Mikel Arteta is going to see that interview and that was the opportunity for him to say it.”
10:16pm
Clarence Seedorf on Amazon Prime
“In the end it is not even about competition between the players (for places), the words (Gabriel) Jesus said even if the next player comes, he will still score his goal to help the team.
“These are words I like to hear because they are coming into a different level now because, yes they are competing, but whoever plays needs to perform. If I am not playing you perform because next game will be easier for me when the team is winning. I like that.”
Arsenal have seven wins from seven in this season’s Champions League – Luca Bruno/AP
10:11pm
Post-match thoughts of Gabriel Jesus
“It is a dream night. I always dreamed of being a footballer. I watched when I was a kid. I watched a lot of Serie A, so to be here in this stadium and score here is tears in my eyes because I always dreamed of being here. There is always a reason that things happen even whether it is good things or difficult things. I learned that during my 11 months out of the field.
“It is always difficult to play against Inter Milan. We came here last season and lost. Tonight we played better than them, we controlled them but they are a top team and they attack. We scored at the end and got the three points. We have to keep going because we have another one at the weekend. Everyone wants to start. I am a very respectful guy. I am not a kid anymore, I am 28, so I understand football. I am very happy Vik (Gyokeres) came on and scored a goal. I am so happy I scored and Vik scored. I am confident Kai (Havertz) will score when he gets the chance.”
Gabriel Jesus’ first-half double led Arsenal to victory – Luca Bruno/AP
10:07pm
Tomorrow night’s Champions League games
Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid
Qarabag vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Atalanta vs Athletic Bilbao
Bayern Munich vs Union SG
Chelsea vs Pafos
Juventus vs Benfica
Marseille vs Liverpool
Newcastle vs PSV
Slavia Prague vs Barcelona
10:04pm
Arsenal’s next five games
January 25: Arsenal vs Manchester United (Premier League)
January 28: Arsenal vs Kairat (Champions League)
January 31: Leeds vs Arsenal (Premier League)
February 3: Arsenal vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup)
February 7: Arsenal vs Sunderland (Premier League)
10:01pm
Tonight’s Champions League results
Kairat 1 Club Brugge 4
Bodo/Glimt 3 Manchester City 1
Copenhagen 1 Napoli 1
Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
Olympiacos 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0
Real Madrid 6 Monaco 1
Sporting 2 PSG 1
Tottenham 2 Borussia Dortmund 0
Villarreal 1 Ajax 2
09:53pm
FT stats
Possession: Inter Milan 51%-49% Arsenal
Shots: 18-17
Shots on target: 4-6
Corners: 4-7
Touches in opposition box: 28-30
09:51pm
Full time
There is the final whistle and Arsenal make it seven wins out of seven in the league phase, thus guaranteeing a top-two spot. A first-half double from Jesus and a fine Gyokeres goal late on give Mikel Arteta’s men all three points.
09:50pm
90+1 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
Rice picks up a yellow card for tugging Diouf back and he will miss Arsenal’s final league phase game against Kairat next week like Merino.
09:48pm
90 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
There will be three added minutes.
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Frattesi has a decent opportunity to make it a nervy ending for Arsenal as he gets onto the end of Dimarco’s cross from the left but blazes over from six yards out.
09:47pm
89 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
We are heading towards added time and you would imagine there will not be more than four, maybe five minutes.
09:46pm
87 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 3
Some of the home fans look like they have had enough and are leaving.
09:43pm Key moments • Goals
GOAL! Gyokeres seals it for Arsenal
That could well be game, set and match. Arsenal counter and Martinelli plays a sublime ball forward with the outside of the boot to pick out the run of Gyokeres. The Swede tries to pass it forward to Saka but the ball is blocked. It comes straight back to Gyokeres, who shoots first time from just outside the box and picks out the top corner with a wonderful finish. Arsenal look set for a guaranteed top-two spot.
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That’s probably the best finish Gyokeres has produced in an Arsenal shirt? You wonder how much of a fire was raging in his belly as he watched Jesus score twice. Arsenal will benefit massively from a proper competition between those two.
Fine finish from Viktor Gyokeres – Fabrizio Carabelli/PA
09:42pm
83 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Bonny, only just onto the pitch, wins a corner for the hosts off Zubimendi.
Dimarco’s corner though is cleared by the visitors and they then counter…
09:40pm
82 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Acerbi is into the book for a foul on Gyokeres as the Swede looked to turn the defender.
Two changes for the hosts as Diouf and Bonny come on.
09:39pm
81 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Arsenal had already secured a last-16 spot before kicking a ball tonight and would guarantee a top-two spot with a win.
09:37pm
79 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Saka has a shot from the right side of the box but it is straight at Sommer.
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A final Arsenal change of the night sees Martinelli replace Trossard.
09:32pm
74 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Double change for the hosts as Gabriel and Gyokeres replace Mosquera and Jesus.
09:31pm
72 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Merino cynically hacks at Dimarco in what is one of the more obvious yellow-card offences and is eventually booked, meaning he will miss Arsenal’s final league phase game against Kairat next week. Bastoni is also booked for some afters.
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Mikel Merino with a hilariously cynical foul. He basically seemed to decide the game needed to be slowed down, and also that he needed a personal breather. After being thrown to the floor he just lay there for a bit.
Alessandro Bastoni laying down the law – Carl Recine/Getty Images
09:28pm
70 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Cristian Chivu has had his arms outstretched, believing Arsenal are time wasting over dead-ball situations.
09:27pm
69 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Inter are starting to cause more of a threat in the final third as Thuram’s shot from the edge of the box takes a deflection off Saliba and goes behind for a corner.
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From the resulting corner, Esposito takes a shot from the penalty spot but it goes off target. Esposito has not been on the pitch long but has already been a nuisance.
09:26pm
67 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Inter are inches away from equalising. Henrique clips in a ball into the path of Esposito, who chests the ball down before shooting on the turn. It goes just wide of the far post and the home players want a corner but a goal-kick is given.
09:22pm
64 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
So, this is interesting. The hosts are a goal behind yet are taking off two of their best players in Martinez and Barella. Esposito and Frattesi come on.
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Arsenal also make a double change as Rice and White replace Eze and Timber.
09:21pm
62 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
That is a great piece of defending from Bastoni. Jesus slides a pass into Saka inside the box. Saka probably takes too long to get his shot away and when he finally does Bastoni slides across to make a crucial block.
Important block from Alessandro Bastoni – Matteo Ciambelli/Reuters
09:19pm
61 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Neither manager has turned to their bench yet so who will be the first to do so?
09:18pm
60 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
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Myles Lewis-Skelly has produced a couple of thumping tackles in this half. He has been defensively exposed a few times in recent weeks, and looked a bit vulnerable before the break, but this has been a very impressive start to the second half for him.
09:17pm
58 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Thuram holds off Mosquera to get a shot away from just outside the box. Thuram hits it well but it is straight down Raya’s throat.
09:15pm
56 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Saka gets to the byline and clips a cross beyond the back post. He picks out Trossard, who volleys it first time but his effort back across goal goes just wide.
09:12pm
54 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Martinez has gone down inside the Arsenal penalty area. The referee thought about it for a moment but opts against giving it. Saliba does stick out his leg and does make contact with Martinez. Will VAR look to overturn this decision? No, they stick to the on-field decision.
09:09pm
51 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Chance for Arsenal. Should Eze have scored? He holds off Barella on the edge of the Inter box and tries to feed the shot into the bottom corner but it lacks the power to beat Sommer.
09:07pm
48 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Arsenal win a corner out on the left after Akanji blocked Trossard’s cross. Eze is given the hurry-up by the referee for taking too long to walk across to take the corner. The delivery is sent in and comes off the head of Thuram last but a goal-kick is given.
09:05pm
46 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
After Merino loses the ball inside his own half, it ends up with Dimarco crossing from the byline on the left side of the box. It takes a deflection and loops dangerously towards the back post but Lewis-Skelly clears.
09:03pm
Second half
We are back under way at San Siro. No changes for either side at the break.
08:59pm Analysis
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“Fun to watch”
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Very enjoyable first half in Milan. This is what happens when the opposition tries to open up against Arsenal. It’s fun to watch. People accuse Arsenal of being boring but so much of that is because the majority of their opponents play a deep block. Inter are far more adventurous.
08:56pm
Tonight’s Champions League games
Kairat 1 Club Brugge 4 FT
Bodo/Glimt 3 Manchester City 1 FT
Copenhagen 0 Napoli 1 HT
Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2 HT
Olympiacos 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0 HT
Real Madrid 2 Monaco 0 HT
Sporting 0 PSG 0 HT
Tottenham 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 HT
Villarreal 0 Ajax 0 HT
08:50pm
HT stats
Possession: Inter Milan 48%-52% Arsenal
Shots: 9-10
Shots on target: 3-3
Corners: 2-4
Touches in opposition box: 14-16
08:47pm
Half-time
The first half is brought to an end and Arsenal will take a 2-1 lead into the break courtesy of Jesus’ double.
08:46pm
45 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
There will be one added minute to close out this first half.
08:44pm
43 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
The space opens up for Sucic to take a shot from just outside the box but instead lays it off to Dimarco on the left side of the box. The left wing-back drives it across goal and Raya is on hand to make the save.
08:43pm
42 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Dimarco whips in a cross from the left that is met by the head of Saliba and comes to L Martinez at the back post. However the Argentinian makes pretty poor contact with the ball.
08:41pm
40 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Saka whips in another inswinging corner from the right that threatens to go into the Inter goal but Sommer punches away. Sommer is then fouled as Merino runs straight into him.
08:40pm
39 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Inter counter after Zubimendi gifts the ball away. Thuram drives forward before playing a pass into Henrique, who made the run down the right. He shoots as he enters the box but his effort is wayward and off target. Probably should be hitting the target there.
08:37pm
36 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
Saka is given space to drive and drive at the Inter Milan box. He opens up his body and tries to curl one into the far corner but his effort goes a way wide.
08:36pm
35 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
L Martinez’s shot from just outside the box is blocked by Lewis-Skelly and spins behind for a corner. It is taken short before it is clipped in but L Martinez is then penalised for a handball.
08:34pm
33 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 2
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Set piece again… this time it’s the three forwards combining from the dead-ball. Saka’s corner, Trossard’s header, and then Jesus with the simple finish. I’m not sure that one was straight from the playbook but Arsenal won’t care.
08:32pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Jesus at the double to restore Arsenal’s lead
Mikel Arteta’s men are back in front. Saka’s corner goes beyond the back post, where Trossard meets it and heads back across goal. It comes off the bar and comes to Jesus who, from just a couple of yards out, heads into the goal.
08:31pm
31 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
Saka wins Arsenal a corner out on the right, which he will take…
08:31pm
30 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
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Cristhian Mosquera has only played a handful of games for Arsenal but he has repeatedly demonstrated his impressive ability to defend open spaces. It’s not just his speed but also his timing: when to challenge, when to hold off. That was great defending to slow down Inter’s counter-attack.
08:28pm Key moments
27 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
Inter have absolutely butchered that and should take the lead. Sucic drives forward and has Thuram to his right. Sucic can either continue to drive forward and get a shot away or play it to his teammate. He takes way too long to decide before eventually laying it off to Thuram, who blazes his shot over the bar.
08:27pm
26 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
Arsenal win themselves a corner out on the left but the delivery is terrible from Eze, not even beating the front defender. Considering how many set-piece goals Arsenal score, Mikel Artetat will be very disappointed with that delivery.
08:24pm
23 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
This does now feel a different game to the one over the first 10 minutes or so. Arsenal had looked comfortable in control just before the Inter equaliser but the home side have now settled, thanks to that stunning Sucic equaliser.
08:22pm
21 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
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The momentum had shifted in Inter’s favour, for the first time in the game, a few minutes before that Sucic goal. Thuram caused a few problems and suddenly Arsenal lost some of their defensive cool.
08:21pm
19 mins: Inter Milan 1 Arsenal 1
Eze has a chance to immediately respond for Arsenal but he drags his effort wide from the left side of the box. That was a decent opportuntiy that Eze will feel he should have challenged Sommer in the Inter goal.
08:18pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Sucic stunner brings Inter level
What a way to equalise! There had been a few mistakes creeping into Arsenal’s game in recent minutes and they had gotten away with it until now. Thuram and Barella have shots inside the area blocked before the ball comes to Sucic on the edge of the box. He hits it first time and it is a fine finish, flying into the net, giving Raya no chance. Arsenal had looked so comfortable in the first 10 minutes or so but Inter are now level.
Sublime equaliser for the hosts – Matteo Ciambelli/Reuters
08:15pm
14 mins: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 1
For the first time in the game, Inter move into the Arsenal final third through Thuram, who moves into the Arsenal penalty area before cutting it back. L Martinez is not there in time to get on the end of it and Raya easily gathers it.
08:14pm
13 mins: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 1
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Jesus has looked sharp since the first minute here. He was involved in the build-up to that goal, too, with his back-to-goal play. This has been a brilliant start by Arsenal: aggressive, slick, imaginative.
08:10pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Jesus puts Arsenal in front
The visitors take the lead and deservedly so. It does come in fortuitous circumstances as Timber’s shot from just inside the box is scuffed but Jesus is the quickest to react, swivelling as he shoots and finding the bottom corner. There were a few appeals for offside but Jesus was comfortably onside.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their first goal – Matteo Ciambelli/Reuters
08:10pm
9 mins: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 0
The home fans are making plenty of noise, not that their side is giving them much to cheer about thus far as they have not really done much in the game whereas Arsenal have settled well.
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Inter already have a problem with Jurrien Timber, the Arsenal right-back. He’s had loads of the ball in the first few minutes here, and we’ve just seen Inter’s left centre-back Alessandro Bastoni stepping out to press him in Arsenal’s half. I suspect Arsenal will be quite happy to see more of that, given the space it will create for Bukayo Saka higher up the pitch.
08:07pm
6 mins: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 0
Arsenal win their first corner of the night out on the right, which Saka will take.
His inswinger is headed away by Sucic at the front post and Inter are then awarded a free-kick as Sucic was bumped in the back by Mosquera as he headed the ball away.
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Arsenal have been on top in these early stages.
08:05pm
3 mins: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 0
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Three chances for Arsenal inside the first two minutes. Incredibly fast start. No goals but this has been an early statement of intent by Arteta’s side.
08:04pm
1 min: Inter Milan 0 Arsenal 0
Not even a minute into the game, Arsenal have a series of shots inside the Inter box but they are all blocked.
08:02pm
Kick-off
We are under way in Milan.
07:59pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at San Siro.
07:51pm
Reminder of the teams
Inter Milan: Sommer, Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni, Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco, L Martinez, Thuram.
Substitutes: J Martinez, de Vrij, Bonny, Frattesi, Diouf, Mkhitaryan, Augusto, Bisseck, Darmian, Calligaris, Cocchi, Esposito.
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Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Zubimendi, Merino, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, White, Gabriel, Norgaard, Rice, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres, Havertz.
07:44pm
Not a happy hunting ground
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A bad historical omen for Arsenal: they have not won any of their previous five Champions League trips to Italy. They did win here at the San Siro (against AC Milan, rather than Inter) in the Europa League in 2018, though. That was in the final weeks of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
07:38pm
Tonight’s Champions League games
Kairat 1 Club Brugge 4 FT
Bodo/Glimt 3 Manchester City 1 FT
Copenhagen vs Napoli
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Real Madrid vs Monaco
Sporting vs PSG
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund
Villarreal vs Ajax
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A huge shock result in Norway as Bodo/Glimt have beaten Manchester City. That defeat for Pep Guardiola’s side actually means that Arsenal have qualified for the last-16 before even kicking a ball tonight.
07:33pm
Nwaneri a victim of Arsenal spending but loan move can revive fortunes
Marseille are among the clubs interested in signing Ethan Nwaneri on loan this month after Arsenal decided his development would be boosted by a spell elsewhere.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a thrilling breakthrough season last year, but has struggled for game time in 2025-26, and is yet to start a Premier League game this campaign.
Nwaneri is also generating interest from Premier League clubs, but Marseille, who are managed by former Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, are regarded as a good stylistic fit for the playmaker.
07:27pm
North London rivals also in action
At the same time as Arsenal’s game at Inter Milan, Tottenham are hosting Borussia Dortmund in north London, with Thomas Frank seemingly under huge pressure to keep his job. You can follow the build-up and action from that match right here.
07:23pm
Sam Dean: Rice’s foul-mouthed fury is indicative of Arsenal’s needless desperation
Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League, seven points clear of their nearest challengers. They are also the best team in the Champions League, three points above second-placed Bayern Munich and with only one goal conceded in six matches. They have a phenomenally deep squad, probably the deepest in Europe, with at least two top-class players for each position (when everyone is fit).
In other words, the situation for Mikel Arteta and his players could hardly be more rosy ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to face Inter Milan. Everything is going as planned. So why, then, do so many of the supporters feel so emotionally fraught about the team? Why was Declan Rice so visibly furious with Saturday’s draw at Nottingham Forest that extended Arsenal’s lead, shouting into the night that it was “f—— s—, every f—— time”?
It all speaks of Arsenal’s desperation to succeed in their pursuit of major trophies. The desire to win, within the club and in the fanbase, is extraordinary. The players, coaches and supporters crave success, seemingly with every inch of their being, and they know the size of the opportunity that is now in front of them.
07:18pm
Arsenal’s last five results
Nottingham Forest 0 Arsenal 0 (Premier League)
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 3 (League Cup)
Portsmouth 1 Arsenal 4 (FA Cup)
Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 (Premier League)
Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 3 (Premier League)
07:12pm
Inter Milan’s last five results (all Serie A)
Udinese 0 Inter Milan 1
Inter Milan 1 Lecce 0
Inter Milan 2 Napoli 2
Parma 0 Inter Milan 2
Inter Milan 3 Bologna 1
07:08pm
Teams in full
Inter Milan: Sommer, Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni, Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco, L Martinez, Thuram.
Substitutes: J Martinez, de Vrij, Bonny, Frattesi, Diouf, Mkhitaryan, Augusto, Bisseck, Darmian, Calligaris, Cocchi, Esposito.
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Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Zubimendi, Merino, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, White, Gabriel, Norgaard, Rice, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres, Havertz.
07:05pm
Point books Arsenal’s place in the last-16
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This could be a juicy one tonight, as the Premier League leaders meet the Serie A leaders. Arsenal are already in an extremely strong position in the Champions League (they are the only team in the competition with a 100 per cent winning record after six games) but we can be sure that Mikel Arteta will not allow them to step off the gas. There’s an element of pride tonight, for him and his players, after Arsenal lost here against Inter last season.
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For Arsenal, a point would guarantee qualification for the last 16. A win would be even nicer, as it would secure a top-two finish in this league phase. That would give Arsenal home advantage in EVERY round of the knockout stages, for as long as they are in the competition.
06:58pm
Over in Norway
Manchester City are currently in action away at Bodo/Glimt and trail 2-0 nearly an hour into the match. You can follow the action from the second half of that match right here.
06:55pm Analysis
Ringing the changes
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Mikel Arteta clearly has one eye on Sunday’s game against Manchester United, because he’s rotated his team quite heavily tonight. Cristhian Mosquera returns from injury and starts at centre-back, while both Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are rested. In total, Arsenal have made seven changes from the draw at Nottingham Forest.
06:51pm
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06:46pm Key moments
Arsenal team
06:39pm Key moments
Meeting in Milan
The Serie A leaders meet the Premier League leaders at the San Siro as Inter Milan host Arsenal on matchday seven of the Champions League. These sides met during the league phase of the Champions League last season, with Inter Milan winning the game 1-0 in this stadium thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty.
“A very similar context to last year, obviously where the two teams are at the moment is a bit different,” Arteta said. “A new manager as well, I think he has given them some of the things in their identity and the way they play. But obviously, a super competitive team, a team that is dominating the league and a really tough game.”
Arsenal have a 100% record in the Champions League so far this season, winning six from six to sit top of the big league table.
“We have to adapt to that (the schedule),” Arteta added. “It is the beauty of playing different competitions and being in the latter stages in all of them. That is what we want, it is a blessing and really positive. Tomorrow (tonight) we have the last one before we play at home again against Manchester Utd.”
Arteta has confirmed that Pedro Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori and Max Dowman have missed the trip to Milan.
Inter Milan currently sit top of Serie A, three points clear of their city rivals AC Milan, after a 1-0 win over Udinese. They have won four of their six Champions League games so far this season and sit sixth in the big league table but one of their two defeats has come against English opposition as they lost 1-0 at home against Liverpool. Simone Inzaghi led Inter to the Champions League final last season, when they were thrashed by PSG, but have a new man at the helm in the form of former Inter player Cristian Chivu.
“We are facing one of the strongest teams in Europe,” Chivu said. “They have invested, they have an identity and they are constantly improving. Arsenal and Bayern are the strongest teams in Europe right now, but I am also aware of who we are. We won’t start feeling defeated; we will be the best version of ourselves.”
Team news to follow shortly.
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