Calhanoglu on the spot as Arsenal loses again
Hakan Calhanoglu maintained his perfect penalty record for Inter to secure a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League.
Neither side had conceded a goal in its opening three games in the competition this season, but Arsenal's defence was finally breached after Mikel Merino was punished for a handball inside his own box shortly before half-time.
Calhanoglu calmly beat David Raya from the spot for his 19th successful conversion from 19 penalties in all competitions since joining Inter.
The much-changed Nerazzurri were good value for their lead at that stage, having earlier hit the post through Denzel Dumfries, yet Arsenal then laid siege to the home goal.
While Kai Havertz was denied by Yann Sommer and saw another effort deflected wide, Inter defended superbly and held on for another win that takes them to 10 points from four matches.
Arsenal is three points back, outside the top eight, but at least welcomed captain Martin Odegaard back from injury as a late substitute.
For Arsenal, this felt like a familiar, frustrating story. Just as against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday, the Gunners dominated the possession (63 percent), attempted more shots (21) than its opponent but could find no way through in a 1-0 defeat.
This also followed a trend for Inter, which came into this match without having conceded a goal in the Champions League this season despite facing 53 shots. Simone Inzaghi's men have kept four consecutive clean sheets in the European Cup for the first time in their history.
Odegaard might have been the man to break down that dominant Nerazzurri defence, but he appeared only as a 93rd-minute substitute and touched the ball just once.
