Mikel Arteta makes bold Chelsea vow to Arsenal fans as he shares ‘harsh’ Inter Milan verdict

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta gave a furious reaction to Arsenal’s disappointing defeat against Inter Milan.

The Champions League returned for the Gunners and unfortunately, Arsenal’s luck on the road in Europe this year continued. 

In 2024, Arteta’s side have not won away in the Champions League, with a 1-0 defeat to Inter to add to the collection. 

The fixture was frustrating for the visitors, who desperately wanted to win amid a patch of bad form however, three points were denied by a controversial penalty call.

• READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Inter Milan, 3/10 star worse than Gabriel Martinelli on frustrating night

Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Mikel Arteta fumes at penalty decision

Just before the interval, Hakan Calhanoglu netted Inter’s winner from the spot, a penalty that was awarded for an incredibly harsh Mikel Merino handball. 

After the game, Arteta expressed his anger at the decision, pointing out that the Spaniard was denied a strong penalty shout just moments before turning the offender.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the manager questioned the decisions of Istvan Kovacs when assessing his side’s defeat.

“I am very proud of my players, the level of domination we had. We were very harshly done by in the sense that is obvious. Both penalties,” Arteta said. 

“If you are going to give a penalty, the other one has to be because he punches him in the head.

“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.”

While Arteta’s view of the game was somewhat clouded by the penalty antics in the first half, the boss called on his players to convert the many chances they had.

“We should have scored a couple at least but the way the team played, that was us at least. Every decision in the box makes a difference.”

Arteta sends warning to Chelsea

With no wins from their previous three in the Premier League, Arteta would have been desperate to right Arsenal’s wrongs against Inter.

The reason for this is not only to push on in Europe but, to build confidence ahead of Sunday’s crucial London derby. 

• READ MORE: Matt Upson in utter disbelief at ‘crazy decision’ during Arsenal defeat vs Inter Milan, he’s furious

The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge to play Enzo Maresca’s well-oiled Chelsea, with Arteta sending a warning to the Blues.

“The way we played tonight, the team can go to Chelsea and win,” the Arsenal manager said after defeat to Inter.

Arteta made a bold vow to fans ahead of the derby, with a clear aim to end the Gunners’ poor spell of form.