Inter 1-0 Arsenal: Çalhanoglu Penalty Wins It

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Post on Nov 07, 2024

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Inter 1-0 Arsenal: Çalhanoglu Penalty Wins It

A solitary penalty from Hakan Çalhanoglu secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Inter Milan over Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at the San Siro. The game was a tense affair, with both sides creating chances, but Inter ultimately proved more clinical in front of goal, leaving the Gunners with work to do in the second leg.

The opening exchanges saw both teams adopt a cautious approach, with Arsenal looking to control possession and Inter attempting to hit them on the break. The first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Lautaro Martínez, having been played through on goal, saw his shot brilliantly saved by Aaron Ramsdale.

Arsenal responded with a flurry of attacks, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard causing problems for the Inter defence. However, the Gunners lacked a cutting edge in the final third and were unable to find a way through the well-organized Inter backline.

The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Robin Gosens was brought down in the penalty area by Takehiro Tomiyasu. Çalhanoglu stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty past Ramsdale, sending the San Siro into raptures.

Arsenal pushed for an equalizer in the remaining minutes, but Inter defended resolutely and held on to secure a vital victory.

Here are some key takeaways from the match:

• Inter's defence was excellent, limiting Arsenal's attacking threats. They were well-organized, aggressive in the tackle, and kept the Gunners at bay for the majority of the match.
• Çalhanoglu proved to be the difference-maker. His penalty was the decisive moment of the match, and he also played a key role in Inter's overall midfield performance.
• Arsenal will need to be much more clinical in the second leg. They created chances, but their lack of a cutting edge in the final third proved costly.

The second leg at the Emirates Stadium promises to be a fascinating affair. Arsenal will be looking for revenge, while Inter will be aiming to hold on to their advantage and secure a place in the quarter-finals.