Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cut a proud figure despite his side’s 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The Gunners were undone by a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu in first half stoppage time after Mikel Merino saw the ball ricochet off his arm in the 18 yard area.
Arteta’s charges could not find a way back into the contest despite controlling most of the second half as they were left with their first loss of the Champions League campaign and the end of their clean sheet streak in this season’s competition.
“The worst thing is the result, because of the performance and attitude we showed against one of the best teams in Europe in their stadium,” Arteta said.
“It’s extremely frustrating because there were two decisions against us. If their one is a penalty then we should have one when Mikel Merino is punched in the head.
“Of all the big games we have played in Europe, this was the best I have seen from my team in the last two years.”
Arsenal will be hoping to avoid yet another loss against Chelsea this weekend if they are to remain in contention for a first English title since 2004 after successive runners-up finishes.
Off the back of last weekend’s loss to Newcastle United in the league, Arteta remained positive ahead of the derby on Sunday, saying;
“If we play the way we played tonight, the team has a big chance to win at Chelsea.
“That is the way we have to go. I have told them I am proud of them. We are disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game that is for sure.”
