Disputed penalty hands Arsenal first Champions League defeat of the season
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus reacts during his side's Champions League defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro. Picture: Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Wire.
UNLUCKY ARSENAL? No point arguing after the event, but a tale of two penalty decisions condemned Mikel Arteta’s men to a bitter first Champions League defeat of the season. That the Arsenal manager was only booked for his touchline reactions was more a mark of his restraint than losing the plot over any refereeing conspiracy.
Arsenal once again produced their best form in European football as they looked to recharge their season after a three-match run of Premier League matches without a win. They deserved more from a match they dominated but such are the margins in Europe’s elite competition.
Although they can point to how well they played and perceived injustices, the fact remains they have now lost three of their last six matches and badly need a win.
Defeat far from rules them out from qualifying for the knockout stages and should boost their confidence and determination when they go to Chelsea this Sunday in search of three points before the latest international break disrupts the flow of the new season once again.
The game swung on two big calls by Romania referee Istvan Kovacs and his VAR team in the space of 15 first-half minutes. Arsenal had recovered from a blistering Inter start to be comfortably on top by the time Mikel Merino was punched as he attempted to head in a 30th minute Gabriel Martinelli cross.
The Spanish midfielder took a two-fisted blow to the skull as Swiss keeper Yann Sommer went to clear and got a chunk of both skull and ball on his gloves. The VAR decided against suggesting a penalty and Merino eventually recovered to play on after some on-field treatment.
Kovacs had already given fouls and even yellow cards for far less earlier in the match. Some might argue in favour of the officials but it was a dangerous challenge by Sommer and a clear foul so surprisingly not to be given as a spot kick based on the way the match had been officiated up until then.
Whether or not Merino was feeling a bit dazed and confused when he had a penalty awarded against him 15 minutes later is a moot point. The relevant point is that by then Arsenal were well on top, playing like the Arsenal of old; without fear, strong in the tackle and playing with a combination of patience and pace. Then came the penalty with the final kick of the first half.
Merino challenged fairly to try and clear a free-kick but the ball ricocheted against his raised hand and the referee awarded a penalty without hesitation. A lengthy VAR check again sided with their man on the pitch and Hakan Calhanoglu drilled in a low shot, sending David Raya the wrong way.
For those who have not seen a clip of the incident, it seemed a clear case of ball to hand and a decision that would never have been given in the Premier League. Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson was sitting a few seats alongside me in the press box here and he described it as ‘ridiculous’. That Merino failed to reappear for the second half would indicate there was some knock on impact from his blow to the head. Either way, they were even more dominant in the second half and could and should have at least levelled.
Defender Gabriel had a header cleared off the line at the back post from a Bukayo Saka corner and Sommer made a brilliant full stretch save from Kai Havertz. The German striker had another effort dramatically cleared too before he left the action with blood pouring from his face after a clash of heads with Yann Bisseck.
Martin Odegaard came on for the five minutes of time added on at the end and Arsenal created more dangerous attacks, but ultimately had to leave the San Siro the way they entered – to the deafening, deep, thudding, intimidating chants from the vociferous Inter Ultras.
The 3,000-strong travelling Arsenal contingent, packed into the highest of upper decks in this atmospheric historic 75,000-capacity stadium did their best to be heard above the din but must have always feared they were going to lose on and off the pitch.
One can only imagine how many of the Arsenal fans were present the last time their side played and won here almost 21 years to the day. That was when Ray Parlour captained a Thierry Henry inspired side to a 5-1 away win. Two decades on and it was down to another homegrown academy player in Saka to lead the charge into an unlikely triumph.
They were close, but this latest generation of Arsenal talent still lacks the star finishing quality of Henry and the incisive brilliance of players such as Robert Pires. That said, most teams do and always will. Arteta’s generation are wounded once again but live to fight another day.
Sommer 6; Pavard 6, De Vrij 6, Bisseck 6, Dumfries 7; Frattesi 5 (Barella 62), Calhanoglu 7 (Asllani71), Zielinski 6 (Mkhitaryan 62), Darmian 5; Taremi 6 (Dimarco 79), Lautaro 6 (Thuram 62). Subs: Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, Arnautovic, Acerbi, Buchanan, Bastoni.
Raya 6, White 6, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Timber 6 (Zinchenko 82), Partey 6, Merino 6 (Jesus 45), Trossard 6 (Nwaneri 82), Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Havertz 6 (Odegaard 90). Subs: Neto, Robinson, Myles-Skelly, Kiwior, Jorginho,, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji.
Istvan Kovacs (ROU) 4
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