Mikel Arteta Condemns Inter Milan Penalty

Mikel Arteta did not receive an Inter Milan penalty (Instagram/@arsenal) prize.

JAKARTA - Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, was furious. His troops lost 0-1 to Inter Milan because of a penalty in the fourth match of the 2024/2025 Champions League, at Giuseppe Meazza, Thursday, November 7, 2024, early morning WIB.

Arteta emphasized that he refused a thousand percent of the penalty. In fact, Arsenal performed their best game.

The Gunners packed 62 percent possession and fired 21 shots, four of which were on target.

It's very different from Inter Milan's, which can only shoot seven times and only one leads to the goal.

Hakan rant's penalty in first-half injury time damaged Arsenal's slick performance.

In fact, the result tarnished Arsenal's journey without losing to Arsenal in the previous three matches in the Champions League.

Mikel Merino is considered to have touched the ball with his hands in the penalty box, 17 minutes after he was hit by goalkeeper Yann Sommer, but did not result in a penalty.

"I don't understand (handball decision). There's no danger at all. You can't react because the ball is so close. However, it's okay, they decide it's a penalty."

"If it's a penalty then what happened to Mikel Merino where he (Sommer) punch his head in the head has to be a thousand percent penalty. That's the difference in the score in this game and it's very difficult to accept it."

"We were told at the start of the season that it wasn't a penalty. It's clear. Today the story is different," Arteta said as reported by ESPN.

After starting the match at a slow tempo, Arsenal dominated possession, but were unable to penetrate Sommer's goal.

This defeat put Arsenal in 12th position in the Champions League standings with seven points.

Meanwhile, despite a third defeat in six games in all competitions, Arsenal must rise.

Arteta remained strong ahead of the Premier League away game on Sunday, November 10, 2024, against Chelsea.

The match against Inter is a valuable lesson. At least, the Spaniard saw his army's performance as very good and valuable capital against the Blues.

"All the big games we've played in Europe, so far are the best games we've played in recent years."

"If we play like we do, we have a good chance to win against Chelsea," Arteta said again.