Inter needed more points. Arsenal took them anyway. Despite making seven changes to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, they still managed to win seven games and seven. With a home match against Kairat Almaty remaining, a top-two finish, let alone a top-eight finish, is assured.
Arteta smiled as he admitted that if he had been the one writing the script for Arsenal’s 3-1 win over last season’s Champions League runners-up Inter, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice at San Siro, it probably would have gone something like this.
The Brazilian was substituted to a standing ovation from Arsenal supporters in the three tiers of the famous old stadium, and Victor Goqueres came on to seal the victory. Arteta’s choice to have a “headache” up front now takes on a different meaning.
It was a special performance from Jesús, an impressive one that even exceeded his expectations with his two goals. But Bukayo Saka was also singing. Cristian Mosquera was combative to the extreme. Gabriel Martinelli’s pass towards Gokeres’ goal was spectacular.
I actually felt this was a big moment for the Arsenal team. Arteta spoke of their maturity, intelligence and emotional control. When asked what it proved, he replied: “First of all, the ambition and belief that we can compete with any team.”
The stakes were slightly lower heading into this, Arteta admitted. This wasn’t a bit of an advantage in a season where he said he had to trick his players into thinking each game was the most important yet. Even with the changes, they were excellent.
After the game, Inter coach Cristian Chivu said: “They were better at seizing chances and showed more energy.” “It’s very difficult to stop Saka. The way they ran always caused problems.” He admitted that “we didn’t have many chances.”
Very few people do that against Arsenal. David Raya, who hasn’t even made a save in his five Premier League appearances this season, wasn’t able to leave the game without conceding a goal, but he wasn’t overworked either. Arsenal’s expected number of goals conceded is the lowest in the competition.
Even now, there is some hesitation about this meeting. “We’re getting closer,” Jesus said on the eve of the game. “I believe we can win.” And so should he. This is a team that is high up in the Premier League and Champions League standings. Not even close.
Arsenal are now seven points clear of second place in the Premier League, extending their lead after a winless weekend. They came to Milan boasting the only 100 per cent record in this season’s Champions League and left with that record strengthened as it was.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus celebrates with teammates after scoring second goal
The team, which has one foot in the Carabao Cup final, has continued to perform well in four competitions under Arteta. Even the Invincibles are reminded that on this very day 22 years ago, they lost the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at home to Middlesbrough.
The list of games was unrelenting and the list of injuries unkind. This is their fourth consecutive away game, but they have only lost once in all competitions since the end of August, winning 4-1 against Aston Villa before the end of the month.
Still, their corners are unstoppable. It’s not just Premier League teams that are suffering. Coach Chivu explained that zonal marking will be the team’s plan. It was not decided in the first half, and after another first contact, Jesus nodded home from close range.
The depth is remarkable. “That position now has a different profile, just like wingers and other positions,” Arteta said of the striker situation. Gabriel and Declan Rice were substitutes at San Siro. We didn’t need Martin Odegaard.
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Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s ‘greediness’ to beat Inter at San Siro
It makes a lot of sense for Arsenal to focus on the Premier League title, but they shouldn’t put their European ambitions to rest. The Gunners faced a Paris Saint-Germain side in a state of flux last spring, but Arteta’s rock-solid outfit is a setup worthy of European silverware.
It’s been more than a year since Arsenal lost by two goals in the Premier League and were down to 10 men for an hour against Bournemouth. The essence of the Champions League is the thrilling away draws and close wins at home.
Inter defender Manuel Akanji may have withheld praise in advance. “Not the best,” was his assessment of Arsenal, instead citing Bayern Munich, who lost 3-1 in London in November. But Arsenal have nothing to fear. Just ourselves.
Because there is still a deep-seated fear.
Fear that everything will go wrong.
Victor Gokeres came off the bench to score Arsenal’s third goal against Inter
The anxiety is understandable from the context. Arteta implicitly encouraged the team, and their supporters, to “enjoy the journey”, but that does not reflect the current sentiment. Arsenal are hungry for trophies. I’m desperately trying to make sure this doesn’t go to waste.
Fans know that three years ago they won more points in the Premier League. The rational part of their brains understands that Manchester City are not what they used to be, that Liverpool are out of the title picture and that Aston Villa cannot hope to keep up the pace.
They know it all, but they’re worried. Even though they scored 72 goals thanks to 16 different scorers, not a single player reached double digits in scoring. Is being goofy enough when it really matters? Will Jesus and Saka stay healthy? Yes, they are worried.
Last time, Liverpool didn’t do much good by being in the lead at this stage of the competition. And there’s still a chance of an awkward draw in the round of 16. On the negative side, Arsenal may have reached their peak again too soon. But this was still a barometer.
It showed where Arsenal are now. The possibility of more fluency should be seen as a positive when they are winning anyway. The best teams Germany and Italy could offer were defeated. They are better than anyone who has ever played.
Arteta’s mantra is that he must use his growing confidence as fuel. “We must continue,” he concluded on Tuesday. Some Arsenal supporters may have to see it before they believe it. But perhaps they also need to believe it before they see it.
Because while some of the supporters cheering late into the night in Milan sounded like they were heeding Arteta’s advice to enjoy the trip, most had other ideas in mind. What matters now is the destination. And that could be really great.
