The Gunners conceded the decisive spot-kick in their 1-0 defeat on Wednesday (06.11.24) after Mikel Merino was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty whilst the same player had a penalty appeal turned down despite being "punched" in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer and the decision left Arteta with a burning sense of injustice.

Asked for his thoughts on the opponent's penalty, the coach said: "I don’t understand. There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close.

"We were told at the start of the season that wasn’t a penalty. That was clear. Today it was a different story. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.

"But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty, 1,000 per cent. These are the margins in this game and it’s very, very difficult to accept.

"I am extremely frustrated because these are two decisions that marked the course of the game. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do. We have to accept it and move on."

Arsenal had the better of the play despite falling to a second successive defeat and Arteta was pleased with the way the team played.

He said: "This is the way I want to see my team. Of all the big games we have played in Europe, this is by far the best one that we have played in the last few years.

"If we play the way we played here we have a good chance to win against Chelsea. I told them I’m proud of them.

"I haven’t seen them play in Europe in the manner they have today. And we are very disappointed because we didn’t get what we wanted out of the game that’s for sure."