Mikel Arteta has issued a warning that Inter Milan ‘have a clear strategy’ for facing Arsenal as they gear up for their Champions League encounter at San Siro on Tuesday night.
The two clubs previously met in the Champions League group stage last season, where Inter secured a convincing 1-0 win against the Gunners, aiding their progression to the round of 16. Now, they face off again for a rematch.
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Arteta Previews Inter vs. Arsenal
Arteta made a strong impression on the Italian media by speaking in Italian for much of his pre-match press conference on Monday evening.
One topic of discussion was Arsenal’s recent Premier League performance, having played to a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest over the weekend. Reflecting on this, Arteta stated, “We weren’t satisfied with the result; after reviewing the game and considering the other outcomes, it highlights the challenge of the league.”
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on November 05, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Looking ahead to the clash with Inter, Arteta commented, “It’s a similar context to last year regarding where both teams stand and their style of play. They are dominating the league, making this a very challenging match.”
Arteta also confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori will be unavailable for the match at San Siro, along with Piero Hincapie and Max Dowman. However, Christian Mosquera and Kai Havertz have traveled with the squad.
When asked about his team selection, Arteta remained somewhat reserved, stating: “We’ll aim to adapt and make necessary changes. We’ll evaluate if any adjustments are needed tomorrow.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 06: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale heads the ball away during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on November 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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Arteta emphasized that Arsenal is well-prepared regarding Inter’s approach based on their previous encounter: “We performed well but lost due to a penalty. We understand how to match their style of play.”
When asked if he believes Arsenal can compete for titles across all competitions, Arteta replied, “We must focus on one game at a time and be adaptable. Let’s enjoy the journey, as it’s a remarkable one.”