Arsenal are currently in Milan for their upcoming Champions League match against Inter at the San Siro.
The Gunners have made a solid start in Europe, winning two of their first three games and drawing the other, which is a strong record at this stage.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to maintain their winning momentum in the Champions League, especially given his team’s recent struggles in the Premier League, where they’ve gone winless in their last three matches. This makes Wednesday’s fixture all the more crucial, though not everything has gone smoothly for Arteta and Arsenal leading up to the match.
**Arsenal’s close call with UEFA over press conference delay**
As a manager known for his discipline, Arteta would want to avoid breaking any rules, but there was a brief moment when Arsenal found themselves in danger of facing sanctions from UEFA.
While Arteta has previously been reprimanded for his actions on the sidelines or comments to the press, he has generally managed to stay out of trouble. However, in Milan on Tuesday, there was a concern that Arsenal could face a penalty for being late to their pre-match press conference.
UEFA regulations state that press conferences should take place between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm local time, with no exceptions unless prior approval is given. Arteta’s press conference was scheduled for 7:00 pm, but as the clock neared 8:00 pm, both Arteta and Bukayo Saka were still absent. The reason for the delay was unclear, and journalists began to wonder if Arsenal would face repercussions. Fortunately, Arteta arrived just before the 8:00 pm deadline, and Arsenal narrowly avoided any punishment.
**Arteta outlines the challenge posed by Inter Milan**
Inter Milan will be Arsenal’s toughest test in the Champions League so far this season.
Under the guidance of manager Simone Inzaghi, the Italian champions have developed a highly effective and organized team, difficult to break down. Even Manchester City struggled to overcome them in previous encounters.
Arteta is fully aware of the strengths that Inter brings to the table and spoke about the challenge Arsenal will face in Milan. He explained: “I think they have a really clear idea and identity, which for me is their biggest strength, and that’s all credit to the manager.
“He has very specific ideas, particularly in possession, with the way certain players are positioned to create space, making them unpredictable and tricky to play against. But we also face similar tactical challenges in the Premier League, and hopefully, we can apply that knowledge and deal with it on the night.”
As Arsenal prepares for their clash with Inter, Arteta knows the significance of the match and the level of difficulty his team will face in their bid to continue their strong European campaign.