Hakan Çalhanoglu’s impeccable penalty record lifted Inter Milan to a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in their Champions League clash at San Siro, as a contentious handball decision against Mikel Merino gave Inter the opportunity to convert from the spot just before half-time. Çalhanoglu, who has now scored 19 penalties out of 19 for Inter, calmly slotted the ball past Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, securing a valuable three points for the Italian side.
The match, marked by controversy, saw Arsenal appeal for their own penalty earlier in the first half when Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer collided with Merino while clearing a cross, but VAR upheld the decision against awarding it. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration, arguing that the handball call against Merino was inconsistent with officiating guidelines he says were explained at the season’s start. “If that is a penalty, then the foul on Merino is 1,000 percent a penalty,” Arteta remarked.
Despite Arsenal’s second-half resurgence, where they recorded 14 goal attempts, including close efforts from Kai Havertz, Inter’s defense held firm. Arsenal now sits outside the automatic Champions League qualification spots with seven points from four games, while Inter moves up to 10 points.
Arsenal, having struggled with recent defeats in both the Premier League and Champions League, face mounting pressure ahead of their next league match against Chelsea.
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