Despite a strong performance and several chances created, Inter fall to their third straight Champions League defeat as Arsenal prove lethal in the box.
Inter delivered one of their better Champions League performances in recent weeks, but once again walked off the pitch empty-handed. At San Siro, Arsenal emerged with a convincing 3-1 victory, capitalizing on their attacking efficiency and exposing the Nerazzurri’s lack of sharpness in decisive moments.
The Gunners made their intentions clear from the opening seconds, pressing aggressively and even attempting a shot straight from kickoff. Their fast start paid off in the 10th minute, when a deflected effort from Timber fell kindly to Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker reacted first and finished from close range, aided by Luis Henrique failing to step up with the defensive line.
Inter responded with character and quality. The equalizer arrived through a moment of brilliance from Luka Sučić, who curled a precise right-footed shot from outside the box into the top corner, leaving David Raya with no chance. Momentum briefly swung in Inter’s favor, and Sučić had a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround, only to squander it.
Arsenal regained control midway through the first half, once again exploiting a set-piece situation. A corner from the right caused chaos in the box, and Gabriel Jesus struck again from close range to restore the visitors’ lead, underlining his predatory instincts.
The second half opened at a slightly slower tempo, but chances continued to appear at both ends. Trossard went close with a first-time volley, Thuram tested Raya with a central effort, and Bastoni produced a crucial sliding block to deny Saka, who repeatedly tormented Inter’s defense down the flank.
Cristian Chivu attempted to change the course of the match by switching to a more attacking setup, introducing additional forwards. However, the tactical gamble left space at the back, and Arsenal sealed the result late on. A swift counterattack was finished clinically by Viktor Gyökeres, whose low strike from outside the area made it 3-1.
The result marks Inter’s third consecutive Champions League defeat, a harsh outcome given their overall display, while Arsenal once again demonstrated their ruthless edge at the highest European level.
Match Report
Inter 1-3 Arsenal
Goals:
10’ Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
18’ Sučić (Inter)
31’ Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
84’ Gyökeres (Arsenal)
Inter (3-5-2):
Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Luis Henrique (Diouf 83’), Barella (Frattesi 63’), Zieliński (Bonny 83’), Sučić, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martínez (Pio Esposito 63’).
Coach: Chivu
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber (White 64’), Saliba, Mosquera (Gabriel 75’), Lewis-Skelly; Eze (Rice 64’), Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Gabriel Jesus (Gyökeres 75’), Trossard (Martinelli 79’).
Coach: Arteta
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Yellow cards: Bastoni, Acerbi (Inter); Merino, Rice (Arsenal)
Red cards: None
