Inter 1-0 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners beaten in Champions League

Arsenal were condemned to defeat when Mikel Merino was flagged for a controversial penalty on the stroke of half-time. Hakan Calhanoglu scored from the spot to extend the Gunners' winless run to three out of their last four matches in all competitions.

The penalty, particularly the furore around the decision, at least raised pulses during a dire and soporrific first half. Arsenal struggled to create chances, a familiar theme, while Inter were prepared to live and die on the counter, despite playing at home.

This double whammy of negativity proved distinctly unpleasing on the eye. Nor could it hide some worrying and ongoing underlying struggles among Arsenal's ranks.

Those struggles include a once-formidable back four that might be forgetting what a clean sheet looks like. Issues in defence are the logical place to start the roll call for some barely average player ratings.

Inter 1-0 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6/10 - Getting beat from 12 yards denied David Raya a clean sheet for the sixth time in as many matches. The last time Arsenal's No. 1 kept the door firmly shut was against PSG on October 1.

Raya wasn't necessarily at fault, although he was static when Denzel Dumfries struck the crossbar early doors. Arsenal's bigger problem is what's in front of Raya.

Ben White (RB) - 5/10 - White's return to the starting lineup was anything but routine. He appeared leggy and indecisive at times.

The 27-year-old also struggled to offer his usual industry and efficiency going forward. This was the kind of performance that explains why Arteta had hoped to replace White with Jurrien Timber.

William Saliba (CB) - 6/10 - Shaky, suspect play along the back line even extended to William Saliba. He didn't have the easiest assignment up against Lautaro Martinez, but Saliba lost too many of the duels and was often forced into reckless decisions and committing needless fouls.

Things were hardly any better for the Frenchman at the other end of the pitch. Saliba somehow got a header all wrong from point-blank range less than five minutes into the second half.

He remains the focal point defensively, but Arsenal's increasing frailty within the back four is threatening to make its talisman look ordinary.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 6/10 - Saliba's central defensive partner also endured a rough night in Milan. Gabriel Magalhaes had his own tussles with Martinez and also fell foul of whistle-happy referee Istvan Kovacs.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - 5/10 - Seeing Oleksandr Zinchenko languish on the bench while Jurrien Timber floundered at left-back was tough to take. Timber had his problems keeping pace with Dumfries, and striker Mehdi Taremi's movement into the channel gave the Dutchman too much to handle.

To make matters worse, Timber rarely got his delivery from the flanks right. He overhit more than one cross and offered little in possession whenever he inverted. Like White, Timber didn't lack application, just quality.

Continued on the next slide...