Arsenal’s flawless Champions League campaign faces its sternest examination yet on Tuesday night as Mikel Arteta’s side travel to San Siro to take on Inter Milan, knowing that a single point would be enough to secure passage to the last 16.
Six points and five places separate the two European heavyweights in the league-phase standings, but with qualification still not mathematically guaranteed, Inter will be determined to avoid slipping into an unwanted playoff scenario against another elite opponent.
Inter Milan began this Champions League campaign in ominous fashion. Runners-up in both 2023 and 2025, the Nerazzurri won each of their opening four matches while conceding just once, reinforcing their reputation as one of Europe’s most defensively resilient outfits.
That aura of invincibility has faded in recent weeks, however. Cristian Chivu’s side suffered consecutive European defeats to Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, with the latter claiming a surprise 1-0 win at San Siro thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s penalty. The loss not only ended Inter’s 18-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League but also left them on the brink of an unwanted slice of history: three straight defeats in the competition proper for the first time.
Domestically, though, Inter have responded impressively. A narrow 1-0 Serie A victory over Udinese at the weekend, secured by a Lautaro Martinez strike, continued a strong run that now reads six wins, one draw and one defeat from their last eight matches in all competitions. Five wins from their last six league outings have consolidated their position at the top of Serie A, ahead of AC Milan and reigning champions Napoli, with four clean sheets in their last six matches underlining their defensive strength.
Tuesday’s contest pits two of Europe’s most disciplined backlines against one another. Inter have conceded just four goals in the competition, a tally bettered only by Arsenal, who have allowed a solitary strike so far.
That lone goal came during Arsenal’s statement victory over Bayern Munich, while a comfortable 3-0 success against Club Brugge last time out left Arteta’s men on the verge of a top-eight finish. Avoiding the playoff round would be a significant boost for a side still competing on four fronts, and while victory is not essential, a seventh straight Champions League win would represent Arsenal’s best-ever winning run in a UEFA competition.
Recent domestic form has been less convincing, though. Goalless Premier League draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have stalled Arsenal’s momentum, with the latter result ending a 14-game away scoring streak in all competitions. Inter will also take confidence from last season’s 1-0 league-phase win over the Gunners, a result that partially avenged Arsenal’s famous 5-1 demolition of the Nerazzurri at San Siro back in 2003-04.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Inter remain without two key figures, with Hakan Calhanoglu sidelined by a calf issue and Denzel Dumfries still recovering from an ankle injury. Neither is expected to return in time for Tuesday’s clash. Backup goalkeeper Josep Martinez could make the bench as he nears full fitness, but Raffaele Di Gennaro and Tomas Palacios remain unavailable.There is better news elsewhere for Chivu. Alessandro Bastoni and Marcus Thuram were unused substitutes at the weekend and are expected to return to the starting XI in Inter’s familiar 3-5-2 system. Former Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan should also feature prominently in midfield.
Arsenal have their own disciplinary concerns, with Mikel Merino, Christian Norgaard and Declan Rice all one booking away from suspension. Arteta is unlikely to rotate purely with that in mind, but injuries to Max Dowman, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori limit his defensive options.
With a last-16 place almost assured and a Premier League clash with Manchester United looming, some rotation is expected. Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Jesus are all in contention to start, as Arteta looks to balance freshness with competitiveness.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Inter Milan:Sommer; Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
EXPERT PREDICTION
Inter Milan 0-0 Arsenal
