The match’s key moment came just before halftime, when Calhanoglu calmly converted from the spot, giving Inter a slender lead that would ultimately hold. Arsenal pressed relentlessly in the second half, amassing an impressive 2.22 expected goals (xG) as they chased an equalizer. However, despite clear chances for Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, and Gabriel Jesus—and three opportunities for Kai Havertz alone—Arsenal couldn’t find a way past Yann Sommer, who stood tall to secure Inter's fourth straight clean sheet.
Inter’s defense, led by Denzel Dumfries, Yann Aurel Bisseck, and Stefan de Vrij, proved unbreakable under pressure. Although Inter only generated 1.19 xG and rarely threatened beyond the penalty, with Dumfries volleying into the side netting in a rare second-half opportunity, their resilience at the back made the single goal stand.
This win propels Inter to fifth in the Champions League table, underscoring their strong recent form. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s first loss and goal concession of the campaign drop them to 12th, outside the automatic Last 16 qualifying spots. As Inter look to build on their momentum, Arsenal will need to regroup quickly to keep their European hopes alive.
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