Hakan Calhanoglu's Penalty Kick Sends Inter Milan Past Arsenal
It was a nail-biter of a match! Inter Milan and Arsenal went head-to-head in a thrilling pre-season friendly, and it was a last-minute penalty by Hakan Calhanoglu that sealed the deal for the Italian side.
The match was a tight affair with both teams trading blows throughout the 90 minutes. Arsenal, looking sharp and hungry, dominated the early stages, creating numerous chances but failing to find the back of the net.
The Gunners were left kicking themselves after a string of missed opportunities. It was a real case of "almost" for Arteta's side. They hit the woodwork on several occasions and were denied by some fantastic saves from Inter's goalkeeper.
As the game progressed, Inter started to find their feet. They took control of possession and started to carve out chances of their own. But it wasn't until the 80th minute that the breakthrough finally came.
A dramatic moment, a penalty for Inter! It was a classic case of "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take". Calhanoglu stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted the ball past the Arsenal keeper, sending the Inter fans into raptures.
The 1-0 victory was a timely boost for Inter as they prepare for the upcoming season. It was a much-needed win after their recent struggles in pre-season friendlies.
For Arsenal, it was a disappointing loss but also a valuable learning experience. They'll need to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to challenge for trophies this season.
Key Takeaways:
- Calhanoglu's penalty was the difference maker.
- Arsenal missed a number of golden opportunities.
- Inter's defense was solid, preventing Arsenal from finding the back of the net.
This match served as a reminder that pre-season friendlies are about getting ready for the real deal. Both Inter and Arsenal will be hoping to hit the ground running when the new season begins. And with both teams boasting impressive squads, we can expect some fantastic football from them this year.