Arsenal will look to reignite their momentum in Europe when they travel to Italy to face Inter Milan on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The high-profile clash takes place on Tuesday, January 20, at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm local time (20:00 GMT).
Despite a recent dip in domestic form, the Gunners arrive in northern Italy as the only unbeaten team in the Champions League this season and sit top of the competition’s league phase standings.
Match Details
- Fixture: Inter Milan vs Arsenal
- Competition: UEFA Champions League – League Phase (Matchday 7 of 8)
- Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy
- Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Kick-off: 9pm local time (20:00 GMT)
- Coverage: Live build-up and text commentary on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT
Arsenal Dominant in Europe but Struggling for Rhythm
Arsenal enter Matchday 7 with a perfect record of six wins from six matches, collecting 18 points and leading second-placed Bayern Munich by three points. However, their recent performances in the English Premier League suggest that Mikel Arteta’s side are not operating at peak efficiency.
The Gunners have not won a league match since January 3, when they edged Bournemouth 3-2. That victory was followed by consecutive 0-0 draws against Liverpool and relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest—marking the first time since the 2012–13 season that Arsenal have failed to score in back-to-back league matches.
“We came here to win the game,” Arteta said after the Forest draw.
“We needed to take the opportunities we had, and we didn’t manage that. The feeling is disappointment.”
Despite these struggles, Arsenal remain seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and are well positioned to end their 22-year wait for a league title. A strong performance against Inter could also restore belief ahead of a demanding second half of the season.
Inter Milan Recovering Strongly After Champions League Setbacks
Inter Milan, who co-led the Champions League standings with Arsenal after four rounds, enter this fixture in contrasting form across competitions.
In Europe, the Nerazzurri have suffered two consecutive defeats, including a narrow 1-0 home loss to Liverpool in their most recent Champions League match in December. Those results have dropped them to sixth place in the league phase standings, putting pressure on this penultimate group-stage encounter.
Domestically, however, Inter are flying. After losing two of their first three Serie A matches this season, Cristian Chivu’s side have surged to the top of the table and are now:
- Three points clear of AC Milan
- Six points ahead of defending champions Napoli
- Unbeaten in their last 11 league matches
Inter’s last domestic defeat came on November 23, a 1-0 derby loss to AC Milan.
What’s at Stake: Champions League Qualification
Will Arsenal qualify for the round of 16?
Yes. A win or a draw for Arsenal against Inter would mathematically guarantee a top-eight finish, securing automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 and avoiding the two-legged knockout playoff round.
Inter, meanwhile, need a strong result to keep control of their qualification destiny heading into Matchday 8.
Inter Milan vs Arsenal: Head-to-Head Record
The two European heavyweights have met three times in Champions League history, with Inter holding a 2-1 advantage.
Their most recent meeting came on November 6, 2024, when Inter defeated Arsenal 1-0 at the San Siro, courtesy of a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty just before half-time.
Inter Milan Team News and Predicted Lineup
Inter coach Cristian Chivu rotated his squad over the weekend, resting key players Alessandro Bastoni and Marcus Thuram in Saturday’s 1-0 Serie A win at Udinese.
Thuram is expected to return to the starting XI, partnering Lautaro Martinez in Inter’s preferred 3-5-2 formation.
However, Inter may be without influential midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and wing-back Denzel Dumfries, both nearing returns from leg injuries but unlikely to start.
Inter Milan Predicted XI (3-5-2):
Sommer; Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Arsenal Team News and Predicted Lineup
Mikel Arteta is expected to make attacking changes as Arsenal search for goals. Bukayo Saka, who came off the bench against Nottingham Forest, is tipped to return to the starting lineup alongside Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal will remain without injured trio Max Dowman, Piero Hincapie, and Riccardo Calafiori, all targeting early February returns.
Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3):
Raya; Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes; Timber, Zubimendi, Rice; Odegaard; Madueke, Jesus, Saka
Recent Form
Inter Milan (Serie A): W-W-D-W-W
Arsenal (Premier League): W-W-W-D-D
Final Thoughts
This Inter Milan vs Arsenal clash could prove decisive in shaping the Champions League knockout stages. Arsenal arrive as tournament leaders but short on confidence in front of goal, while Inter boast domestic momentum and a formidable home record at the San Siro.
With automatic qualification on the line and two tactical heavyweights on the touchline, Tuesday night promises a high-intensity European showdown worthy of the Champions League stage.
Leave a Reply