Inter 1-0 Arsenal: 3 takeaways from a frustrating Champions League defeat

Arsenal's trip to an iconic Italian amphitheatre ended in a frustrating defeat as Inter kept the Gunners at bay after taking a first-half lead.

Mikel Arteta's side performed admirably against a tough opponent, but the spirit of November 2003 ultimately wasn't evoked as the visitors fell to a 1-0 defeat.

The length of the all-new league phase combined with the productive start Arsenal have made to their Champions League campaign means this is not a loss that will undermine their continental efforts. There are four games to go with the Gunners' schedule easing up after they travel to Sporting CP on Matchday 5.

Arteta, though, will be desperate to secure a top-eight finish and avoid playing two extra games.

We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it. For the time being, let's debrief Wednesday's defeat in Lombardy with three takeaways.

3 takeaways from Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Inter

1. Arsenal resort to a crossing barrage

We've seen Arteta change tack with Martin Odegaard out, switching to more of a 4-2-4 shape which hands Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard plenty of freedom to maraud from central striking positions.

Both are instructed to rotate out wide, and the pair had success in overloading the right flank in order to isolate Bukayo Saka one-on-one. In truth, Arsenal did a good job of accessing Saka and Martinelli throughout, but that's seemingly all they could do in the final third. Inter clogged up the central lanes and limited access between the lines, with Arsenal, until Ethan Nwaneri entered the fray late on, lacking the profile to weave their way through Inter's stubborn resistance.

As a result, Arsenal became more and more predictable as the contest wore on, resorting to a crossing barrage when Inter shut up shop for the final 20 minutes. The Gunners attempted 46 crosses on the night, 32 of which came from their wingers, and forced Inter to defend 13 corners. Gabriel had a flick-on cleared off the line from a Saka corner, while Kai Havertz had a goal-bound effort blocked by Yann Bisseck after Jurrien Timber's deflected cross fell kindly to him in the box.

Arsenal certainly had their moments, but clear-cut openings arrived few and far between. They lacked diversity in the final third, and Inter's box defending was utterly brilliant.

2. Reasons for encouragement

In isolation, this was not a bad Arsenal performance. The result, however, comes at a bad time. The Gunners have now failed to win three of their last four in all competitions, with their only win during that run coming against Preston.

However, there was a response from Saturday's dire showing at Newcastle. After a shaky start, Arsenal settled and started to impose themselves on Inter without the ball. Arteta's side did an excellent job of preventing the hosts from progressing through the thirds with any efficiency. Much of Inter's first-half possession came in their own third.

A stifling press allowed Arsenal to assert control, and the Gunners sustained pressure for much of the second half. The manner in which they did so was impressive in an imposing environment, although I'm well aware that game-state played a role in Arsenal's territorial domination. Inter were content with ceding control after taking the lead, but their inability to transition meant they were penned in and rarely offered respite.

A lack of final third variation is what cost the Gunners here, but their work without the ball and ability to sustain pressure were both very impressive and vastly improved from Saturday.

This was a game of fine margins, and Arteta even went as far as suggesting this was Arsenal's best performance in Europe under his tenure.

3. Captain Ø to the rescue!

The 4-2-4 is bound to be old news moving forward with Odegaard making his long-awaited comeback on Wednesday. The skipper's return cameo was brief as he entered proceedings in stoppage time, but his presence will once again fill supporters with hope that the Gunners can enjoy a resurgence after the November break.

Arsenal's issues here would've undoubtedly been alleviated via Odegaard's intricacy. As I've already noted, Nwaneri is the only other profile we've got capable of replicating what the Norwegian can do with the ball at his feet. The 17-year-old was once again brought on far too late.

Odegaard may lack power in transition and can be guilty of overplaying, but there's no denying his efficacy against packed defences - and this is not going to be the last Arsenal come up against this season.

His presence should hopefully see Arteta return to a less fluid structure in the second and final phases, while the captain's leadership and example he sets when pressing should not go under the radar.

He's bound to return a bit of beauty and romance to Arsenal's play after weeks of stodgy stagnation. Arteta desperately needs him.

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