"We Were Very Harshly Treated" – Arteta Fumes Over Controversial Penalty Call in Arsenal's Defeat to Inter Milan

Arsenal’s rough patch continued as they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the Champions League, making it another disappointing away game for the team this season. This defeat came at a bad time, as the team was desperate for a win to lift their spirits after a series of tough matches.

The game’s only goal came from a penalty given just before halftime. Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was penalized for a handball, and Hakan Calhanoglu scored from the spot, giving Inter a 1-0 lead. The decision sparked major controversy, as many felt it was unfair to Merino, who had little control over the ball when it hit his hand.

After the game, Arteta didn’t hide his anger. Speaking to TNT Sports, he defended his players and questioned the referee’s decision, saying that if the handball was called on Merino, then Arsenal should have had a penalty too for a previous foul on him.

Despite the penalty drama, Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal had chances to change the game but couldn’t convert them into goals. He stressed the importance of finishing chances, especially in close games where a single moment can shift the outcome.

“We created enough chances to score at least a couple of goals,” Arteta said. “But we didn’t make the most of them, and in matches like this, every chance counts.”

Arteta’s comments highlight a larger problem for Arsenal this season: they’re creating chances, but struggling to finish them, especially in critical moments. This makes it harder to win games, especially when calls like these go against them.

Although upset about the referee’s decision, Arteta used the loss to motivate his players to keep pushing. He praised their effort and reminded them to use this frustration as fuel to improve and be more focused on scoring.

“We played with intensity and showed our character,” Arteta said. “I want the players to remember that. But we also have to be more ruthless and turn those chances into goals, especially in tight matches like this.”

Losing to Inter Milan makes Arsenal’s Champions League journey harder, as they now need wins in the upcoming matches to move forward. With no wins on the road yet in Europe this season, Arsenal needs to find a way to stay consistent and finish strong.