Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will face Inter Milan on Tuesday night without three key squad members. Defenders Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori, along with young prospect Max Dowman, remained in London as the team traveled to Italy for the crucial Champions League encounter. While the absence of these players thins the Gunners’ defensive options, Arteta provided a significant boost by announcing the return to fitness of Kai Havertz and Cristhian Mosquera.
The North London side arrives at the San Siro seeking redemption after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the same venue last season. During that previous meeting, a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty ended Arsenal’s impressive unbeaten run, a result Arteta’s men are eager to avenge. The manager kept his pre-match update brief, focusing on the available personnel as Arsenal looks to maintain its perfect record in this year’s revamped league phase.
Victory in Milan would not only preserve Arsenal’s momentum but also move them closer to securing a top-two finish in the standings. Despite the looming Premier League fixture against Manchester United this weekend, Arteta remains focused on the immediate challenge in Italy. The Gunners currently lead the continental table, and the inclusion of Havertz and Mosquera offers the tactical flexibility needed to navigate one of Europe’s most hostile environments.
When asked whether he had more fitness updates to provide, Arteta replied: “No, that’s all.”
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