Arsenal will take on Inter Milan in a Champions League clash at the San Siro on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners are unbeaten in Europe’s elite club competition so far this season, but despite this Mikel Arteta’s side are still desperate for a positive result against the Italian giants.
The North London club slumped to defeat against Newcastle United last time out in the Premier League, a result which dealt a hefty blow to their title ambitions. Subsequently, William Saliba confessed that confidence is low in the Arsenal squad.
This Champions League fixture represents a chance for Arsenal to get back on track, but Inter Milan are not a threat that the Gunners can afford to take lightly.
What sets Arsenal and Inter Milan apart?
Lukas Podolski represented both Arsenal and Inter Milan in his playing days.
The German forward was a teammate of Arteta’s at the Emirates Stadium, making 82 appearances for the club and scoring 31 goals between 2012 and 2015.
Whilst he was still on the books with the North London outfit, he spent a brief spell on loan with Inter Milan.
Speaking to Gazzetta, the 2014 World Cup winner has now named the one current player who represents the difference between the two sides.
“I say Thuram. Arsenal don’t have a striker like that. There’s Havertz, that’s true, but he’s not a number 9. That’s the difference.”
Arteta can now consider himself warned as to the threat that Marcus Thuram poses. The France international has been in fine form recently, netting 8 times in his 13 appearances so far this season, across all competitions. The Arsenal defence will be wary of the danger he represents.
Lukas Podolski makes Mikel Arteta admission
Despite feeling that Arsenal lack an out-and-out goalscorer in their ranks, Podolski has revealed himself to be an admirer of Arteta’s tactical approach.
In the same interview, he said: “Inter…is Inter. Inzaghi’s philosophy is known to everyone, but if I have to choose a style that bewitches me, I’d go for Arteta’s. I love what he manages to convey when the Gunners play football.”
Arteta himself will know exactly what to expect from Inter Milan’s approach to this game. Arsenal were warned about Inter Milan earlier this season.
The Italian outfit successfully held the Cityzens to a 0-0 draw in their bout by deploying a defensive, low-block setup. Without a prolific striker to lead the line, Arsenal may find that they struggle to avoid a similar fate.
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