Arsenal have done something for first time ever under Mikel Arteta in Europe, it’s very worrying

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Arsenal will come back from the San Siro without any points despite a dominant display against Inter Milan.

The Italian champions are not an easy side to beat. Even Manchester City could only secure a point against them at the Etihad earlier this season.

Facing Inter in the San Siro is even more difficult, but Arsenal played really well for large parts of the game in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Gunners even did one thing for the first time under Mikel Arteta in Europe.

Arsenal set new crossing record under Mikel Arteta in Europe

Crossing from wide areas isn’t Arsenal’s go-to move in attack, but it can prove to be effective if they get it right thanks to Kai Havertz’s presence in the box.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are usually very good with their deliveries, and that makes Arsenal a big threat in such situations.

Arteta employed a crossing-heavy approach against Inter Milan on Wednesday night, and Arsenal got into some great areas out wide.

Both Saka and Martinelli whipped in plenty of balls and helped Arsenal set a new record under Arteta in Europe for most crosses in a game.

In total, Arsenal attempted 46 crosses against Inter – no Arteta side has managed more in Europe in the Spaniard’s career as a manager.

The only time Arsenal attempted more crosses in a game under Arteta was in a Premier League clash against Bournemouth in March 2023 – the number was 48 that day.

What’s very worrying about Arsenal’s crossing

46 crosses in a single game is a huge number and you would imagine that it would’ve led to a few goals. But, Arsenal scored none against Inter Milan.

That’s because, out of the 46 crosses Arsenal attempted, only 10 found a teammate inside the box, which is a 22 per cent success rate. That is awful. (Sofascore)

When Arsenal put in 48 crosses against Bournemouth last year, the ratio was even worse. Only six of the 48 reached a teammate, which is a 13 per cent success rate. (Sofascore)

That is very worrying if you’re an Arsenal fan.

Yes, Inter Milan defended brilliantly on Wednesday night, but to have close to 80 per cent of your attempted crosses not find a teammate is a concerning record.

Arteta will have to address and fix that once he returns to London.