Arsenal’s Recent Struggles and Controversial Defeat in Champions League Amidst Odegaard’s Return

Arsenal’s recent performance includes two victories from their last six matches across all competitions. Despite a determined effort in Milan on Wednesday, the outcome was another setback during what is proving to be a challenging period for the Gunners. Their Premier League title aspirations have diminished following a three-game winless streak, leaving them seven points adrift of current leaders Liverpool. Furthermore, their previously strong European campaign has been impacted by their inaugural defeat in this season’s Champions League, falling to Inter at the San Siro. The team is likely to feel unfairly treated, having gained no reward for a spirited second-half performance, particularly as a contentious penalty awarded just before half-time proved to be the deciding factor. Mikel Merino of Arsenal was penalized for a handball offense, even though he had minimal opportunity to avoid a flick-on from a corner kick. This was not the sole call that vexed Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, who also believed that Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, had punched Merino while the latter attempted to contest a cross. “We were very harshly done by in the sense that is obvious – both penalties,” Arteta stated to TNT Sports. He added, “If you are going to give a penalty, the other one has to be because he punches him in the head.” Arteta continued, “There is no deflection, nothing you can do in the box, so can he get away from it? If he is going to give that the other has to be 100% a penalty.” The game’s pivotal moment occurred just before the interval, when a penalty was awarded after Mehdi Taremi’s flick-on from a corner made contact with Merino’s hand. This particular decision might not have been given in the Premier League, as officials there have adopted a policy of not awarding “soft penalties” since the start of the current season. Former referee Kevin Friend explained the updated stance on handball prior to the season, stating, “Our approach regarding handball, there’s only a slight change and tweak into where we’re going with that,” adding, “We saw some soft penalties last season for handball. So we’re basically looking for examples where it clearly hits the arm unjustifiably, with hands above the head, or away from the body to deliberately block the ball coming into the box or going into goal.” This interpretation diverges from the regulations in UEFA competitions, a discrepancy that caused frustration among pundits on Wednesday. Speaking on TNT Sports, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown remarked, “Is the arm in an unnatural position? It isn’t. We have that debate again and it is ruining the game.” He continued, “It is fine margins, I don’t believe it is a penalty. The unnatural rule, who is making those rules? Have they played the game?” Former Gunners defender Matt Upson commented on BBC Radio 5 live, stating, “It does my head in the way they apply that law in Europe.” He elaborated, “We are miles ahead of that in the Premier League, the referees have the understanding of proximity, the speed of the ball and all those things were tick, tick.” Upson concluded, “It is just a bit of common sense.” Regarding the separate incident involving Merino and Sommer in the opposing penalty area, former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott observed on Match of the Day: “Merino gets in a good position and [Yann] Sommer comes and physically punches him. “He’s very unfortunate not to get the penalty and Arsenal were a bit unlucky.” While supporters of Arsenal may feel aggrieved by the penalty decision that proved decisive, the defeat contributes to a troubling statistical trend: Arsenal have now lost three of their last six matches across all competitions (two wins, one draw), which equals the number of losses they incurred in their preceding 32 games (24 wins, five draws, three losses). Additionally, the Gunners have experienced consecutive away defeats for the first time since November 2023. In the Champions League, Arsenal have not secured a victory in their last five away fixtures (two draws, three losses), marking their longest winless streak on the road in this competition since February 2005, which also spanned five games. Furthermore, the Gunners have failed to score in their last four such away matches. Nevertheless, despite the loss, certain positive indicators suggest that the Gunners may soon overcome their current frustrating period of form. In the second half at the San Siro, they demonstrably outperformed their opponents, with Kai Havertz being thwarted on two occasions – initially by an exceptional save from Sommer and subsequently by an excellent block directly in front of the goal. The match also saw the return of Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal captain had been sidelined due to an ankle injury since the end of August but entered the game for the concluding minutes of stoppage time. Although his appearance came too late to affect the match’s result, it suggests a greater involvement for the midfielder in Sunday’s vital Premier League fixture against Chelsea. Odegaard’s impact on Arsenal is evident, with data indicating a significantly higher probability of the Gunners securing a Premier League victory when he is part of the squad compared to when he is absent. In Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal evidently lack creative impetus. Against Inter, they delivered 46 crosses into the penalty area, yet none of these proved effective. Furthermore, they registered 20 shots during the game, marking their highest number of attempts without scoring in a single Champions League match since November 2006, when they had 23 shots against CSKA Moscow. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand commented, “It’s hugely frustrating – 46 crosses is the second most in the Champions League this season but the creativity, the imagination was not there. “He added, “Odegaard has that little bit of imagination. Too often it was slung into the box without any idea.” Ferdinand further stated, “The quality Odegaard brings, the calmness the assuredness, the final pass. Those qualities are what set you apart and make you a great team.”