Arsenal's Champions League campaign resumes on Tuesday evening with a pivotal encounter against Italian giants Inter Milan at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, currently top of their group, are looking to secure seeding for the knockout stages and rebound from a disappointing Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest.
Stakes High for Both Sides in Group Standings
Mikel Arteta's side leads the group phase, effectively battling for a favourable seeding in the next round. Their opponents, Inter Milan, sit in a more precarious sixth place, separated from the play-off spots only by goal difference ahead of Liverpool. The Serie A leaders, three points clear of AC Milan, will be desperate to protect their automatic progression spot after a narrow win over Udinese.
Comprehensive Injury List for Arsenal and Inter
Both managers are grappling with significant injury concerns ahead of the match. For Inter Milan, key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is out with a muscular injury until the middle of February. He is joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper Josep Martinez (ankle), defender Denzel Dumfries (ankle, out until March), and shot-stopper Raffaele Di Gennaro (broken hand). Defender Tomás Palacios remains a doubt with a muscular issue.
Arsenal's treatment room is equally busy. The club has confirmed that defender Riccardo Calafiori is not yet ready and is likely out until at least the end of January. Manager Mikel Arteta stated, “He is progressing, but we don't know. I think it will be a matter of a few weeks, probably.”
Gunners' Defensive Absences Mount
Calafiori is not alone. Fellow defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are also ruled out for several more weeks with similar injuries. Arteta confirmed before the Chelsea game that both are “evolving really well, but they're not training yet.” Centre-back Piero Hincapie will also miss the fixture, with the manager unsure of his exact return date.
This leaves Arteta with considerable defensive reshuffling to contemplate as his team prepares for one of Europe's most formidable attacks.
Implications for Tactics and Team Selection
The sheer volume of absentees, particularly in defence for Arsenal, will force both managers into tactical adjustments. Arteta must find a stable backline without several key options, while Inter will miss the creative engine of Calhanoglu in midfield. The outcome of this match could heavily depend on which squad best weathers its injury crisis and which manager devises the most effective contingency plan.
With so much at stake for progression and seeding, Tuesday's clash promises to be a tense and intriguing tactical battle, shaped significantly by the players who are unavailable.
