Player ratings: Inter 1-3 Arsenal – Sucic and Esposito encouraging in defeat
Petar Sucic and Francesco Pio Esposito were among the encouraging performers in an otherwise disappointing evening for Inter in their Champions League clash against Arsenal, which ended 3-1 in favour of the Premier League leaders.
An outstretched Gabriel Jesus poked Arsenal into an early lead, before a rocket from Petar Sucic drew the Nerazzurri level eight minutes later. Gabriel Jesus was on the scoresheet for a second time following a trademark Gunners corner routine, and Viktor Gyokeres got in on the act in the closing stages for 3-1.
You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Inter ratings
Sommer 6 – There wasn’t much the keeper could have done about Arsenal’s first or last goals, but perhaps might have done a bit better at organising his defenders from the corner that gave Arsenal a 2-1 lead.
Akanji 6 – Certainly one of Inter’s better performing defenders on the night.
Acerbi 5.5 – Between him and Akanji, they managed to lose track of Jesus in the area at the corner that sent Arsenal 2-1 up in the first half.
Bastoni 5.5 – His finest moment came in the form of a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Saka from an inevitable goal just past the hour mark.
L.Henrique 5 – Poor positioning when he played Gabriel Jesus onside for the opening goal after 10 minutes (Diouf n/a)
Barella 6 – Plenty of energy and some decent overlapping runs, rested after the hour mark. (Frattesi 6)
Zielinski 6 – A tough task at the base of the Inter midfield, less time and space on the ball than what he is normally used to. (Bonny n/a)
Sucic 6.5 – Scored his first Champions League goal for Inter with a screamer from the edge of the area to draw them level at 1-1. Made a brilliant run forwards, but kept hold of the ball for too long in a threatening attack that could have sent Inter into a 2-1 lead in the first half.
Dimarco 6.5 – Some decent deliveries in from the left flank, combined well with Bastoni as usual.
L.Martinez 5.5 – His best moment was his excellent pass which supplied Thuram in the move that led to Sucic’s first-half equaliser. A few loose touches on what was otherwise an underwhelming evening by his usual standards (P.Esposito 6.5 – He looked a genuine threat when he came on, an encouraging outing).
Thuram 5.5 – Questions to be asked over his positioning and finish after receiving the ball from Sucic in the aforementioned attack that could have sent Inter into a 2-1 lead during the first half.
Arsenal ratings
Raya 6; Timber 5.5 (White 6), Saliba 6.5, Mosquera 6 (Gabriel 6), Lewis-Skelly 6; Eze 6 (Rice 6), Zubimendi 6.5, Merino 6.5; Saka 7, G.Jesus 7.5 (Gyokeres 7), Trossard 6.5 (Martinelli 6.5).