Arsenal are in Milan, preparing to face Inter Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League.
The Gunners have started the competition on a strong note, winning two games and drawing one in their opening three matches.
With this solid record, Mikel Arteta will be hoping to keep up the momentum in Europe, especially as their domestic form in the Premier League has dipped, with Arsenal failing to win any of their last three league fixtures.
This puts extra pressure on the team to perform well in Wednesday’s crucial clash.
However, things haven’t gone entirely smoothly in Milan for Arteta and his squad.
There was a close call involving UEFA rules that almost led to a fine or other sanction.
As a manager known for his discipline, Arteta is usually cautious about following guidelines, but on Tuesday, the team nearly breached UEFA’s rules regarding pre-match press conference timings.
UEFA mandates that all pre-match media duties must take place between noon and 8:00 pm local time.
Arteta’s press conference was set for 7:00 pm, yet he and star player Bukayo Saka were notably absent as the time approached.
The reason behind the delay hasn’t been clarified, but as the hour neared 8:00 pm, journalists speculated about the possibility of Arsenal facing a UEFA penalty.
Fortunately, Arteta made it to the conference with just a few minutes to spare, avoiding any regulatory consequences.
In previewing the game, Arteta acknowledged that Inter Milan will present Arsenal with their toughest challenge in the Champions League thus far.
Under the management of Simone Inzaghi, Inter have evolved into a highly organized and resilient team, proving challenging for even elite sides like Manchester City.
Arteta praised Inter’s tactical approach, pointing out the distinct playing style Inzaghi has cultivated.
According to Arteta, Inter’s strength lies in their clarity of identity on the field, with Inzaghi’s tactics creating an unpredictable structure that is difficult for opponents to read.
Arteta highlighted Inter’s strategic movement during ball possession, which shifts players into different positions and creates an element of surprise.
Although Arteta respects Inter’s unique playing style, he expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to adapt, referencing the tactical challenges they frequently face in the Premier League.
Arteta conveyed that his team is prepared to apply similar problem-solving skills to counter Inter’s strategies.
This Champions League showdown will not only test Arsenal’s tactical adaptability but also serve as a critical fixture as they look to regain form amidst their recent league struggles.
