Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Champions League nights return to San Siro

Matchday seven of the league phase brings a heavyweight clash under the lights

Champions League football returns to San Siro, where Inter Milan take to the pitch for matchday seven of the league phase. 

The Nerazzurri will face Arsenal tonight with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CET, in their first European fixture of 2026.

After previous continental battles against Ajax, Slavia Prague, Union SG, Kairat Almaty, Atlético Madrid and Liverpool, Inter Milan now prepare for another elite-level test as they chase a top-eight finish in Europe, which would secure direct qualification to the round of 16.

A rivalry rich in memories and decisive moments

Inter Milan will host Arsenal for the second consecutive season, following last year’s 1-0 victory in the 2024/25 League Phase, decided by a Hakan Çalhanoğlu penalty at San Siro.

The two sides previously met during the 2003/04 Champions League group stage, with one win apiece.

• 17 September 2003 – Arsenal 0-3 Inter Milan
  Goals from Cruz (21’), Van der Meyde (24’), Martins (41’) at Highbury. A historic night remembered for Van der Meyde’s spectacular strike and Francesco Toldo’s legendary performance, including a saved penalty from Thierry Henry.
• 25 November 2003 – Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal
  Vieri scored for Inter Milan, while Henry (2), Ljungberg, Edu and Pires sealed a convincing win for the English side.
• 6 November 2024 – Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal
  Decided by Çalhanoğlu’s penalty in the second half.

The Opponent: Arsenal

Arsenal arrive in Milan in outstanding form, sitting on maximum points (18) after a flawless Champions League campaign so far. 

The Gunners have beaten Athletic Bilbao, Olympiacos, Atlético Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge, boasting an impressive +16 goal difference with 17 goals scored and just one conceded.

Only one English side has ever recorded a better goal difference after the first six matches of a Champions League edition since 1992/93: Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool in 2017/18 (+17).

Key Player to watch

Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with nine goals. The Brazilian winger has found the net in all five Champions League matches he has played so far and could set a new record for the longest scoring streak by a Brazilian player in the competition.

A goal at San Siro would take him to six consecutive Champions League matches with a goal, surpassing the previous records held by Neymar (2015, 2017) and Jardel (1999).

Domestic form

Arsenal also top the Premier League, with 49 points from 21 matches (15 wins, two draws, four defeats). 

They have scored 40 goals and conceded just 14, holding the best defensive record in the league. The Gunners are currently unbeaten in their last six league matches (five wins and one draw).

With history, form and qualification ambitions intertwined, Inter Milan vs Arsenal promises to be another classic Champions League night at San Siro, where European pedigree meets modern power.

Source: Inter.it