Inter vs Arsenal

Inter and Arsenal renew their Champions League rivalry with a fascinating league-phase clash at San Siro, a fixture that already carries recent history and major stakes for both sides. The last time these teams met in Milan during the league phase, Inter edged a tight contest 1-0 on Matchday 4, with Hakan Çalhanoğlu converting from the penalty spot. That result echoed the mixed history between the clubs in Europe. Their only other UEFA meetings came in the 2003/04 group stage, when Inter stunned Arsenal with a 3-0 win at Highbury on Matchday 1, only for the Gunners to respond emphatically with a 5-1 victory in Milan later in the campaign. This backdrop underlines how unpredictable this matchup has been whenever it appears on the European stage. Inter arrive under a degree of pressure by their own high standards. The Nerazzurri [WWWLL] have lost their last two Champions League matches and have never suffered three consecutive defeats in the competition proper. Their most recent setback, a Matchday 6 loss to Liverpool, was particularly significant as it ended an imposing run of 18 unbeaten home matches in the Champions League (15 wins, three draws). A 3—5—2 formation with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram in attack is expected against the Gunners. Hakan Çalhanoglu and Dumfries are both unavailable due to injury.

Table-topping Arsenal, however, travel to Milan in formidable form. They are the only team to have won their first six league-phase matches this season, marking the first time in club history they have opened a Champions League campaign with six straight victories. A win here would take them to seven consecutive UEFA competition victories for the first time ever. Since their defeat to Inter on Matchday 4 of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal have been relentless in this phase, winning ten consecutive league-phase matches while conceding just three goals. History is also within reach for the visitors. Arsenal need just one goal to reach 400 in European Cup history, while Gabriel Martinelli continues his remarkable run, having scored in five consecutive Champions League appearances—the first Arsenal player ever to do so. With Inter eager to halt a rare downturn in Europe and Arsenal chasing both history and momentum, this encounter promises intensity, tactical nuance, and potentially decisive moments at both ends of the pitch. A 4—3—3 formation with Viktor Gyökeres, Saka, and Leandro Trossard. Riccardo Calafiori is ruled out of this clash due to injury.