As Inter prepare to host Arsenal in the fourth round of Champions League fixtures on Wednesday evening, here are three key battles to keep an eye on when the two teams step out onto the San Siro pitch.
Three key battles to watch in Inter-Arsenal
Bastoni vs Saka
One of the most interesting battles on the night could be between two of the respective stars of the Italy and England national teams. Alessandro Bastoni is Inter’s first-choice starter on the left-hand side of their back three, while Saka is rarely afforded a rest on Arsenal’s right wing.
The Nerazzurri are yet to concede in the Champions League this term, including a 0-0 draw away at Manchester City and they have only conceded 12 goals from the 15 matches that Bastoni has been involved in this term, which is made even more impressive by the fact that four of those came in one game, in the 4-4 Derby d’Italia draw against Juventus.
Saka is currently the most productive creative player in the Premier League in 2024-25, with seven assists and three goals from nine appearances in the competition so far. It will be interesting to see how much space he is afforded between Bastoni and the chosen left-wing-back on the night.
Martinez and Tarmi vs Saliba and Gabriel
The battle of the forwards vs centre-backs at the other end of the pitch will also provide an interesting match-up. Pre-match reports suggest that the leading Nerazzurri goalscorer Marcus Thuram will be rested, which likely means starts for Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi, who has started in all three of his side’s most recent Champions League games.
Taremi has come up with a goal and two assists from his last two Champions League outings, while Martinez has recently finished as the seventh-best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or awards.
What will be interesting is the fact that Arsenal, and most Premier League sides for that matter, are not regularly tested against a traditional strike partnership. A back three is less common in England than it is in Italy, although William Saliba and Gabriel are touted as one of the best centre-back pairings that the Premier League has to offer.
Barella vs Rice
Assuming they both start, Nicolo Barella could be faced up against 62-time England international Declan Rice. The Italian tends to line up on the right of Inzaghi’s midfield three when everyone is fit and available, while Rice usually operates on the left of Arsenal’s double pivot.
Barella’s strengths lie in his ball carrying and progression. While Rice has similar qualities, he is also known for his defensive abilities, particularly in interceptions, which will make for an interesting head-to-head battle.
Inter-Arsenal preview: Team news, form guide, who and where to watch