Arsenal suffered their first defeat in Europe this season after Hakan Çalhanoğlu scored a first-half penalty as Inter Milan remain undefeated in the Champions League.
Arsenal started the match slowly as the Italian side went close early on with two good efforts. The Gunners then grew into the game and gained some control but failed to create much going forward.
On the stroke of half-time Inter were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Mikel Merino's arm in the box to which Çalhanoğlu converted with ease.
The second half saw Arsenal apply more pressure and control the ball for large spells but again failed to create anything clear-cut. Arteta's side were left frustrated by a resolute Inter defence who are yet to concede in the competition this season.
Arsenal dominated the game with 21 shots but only four on target once again showing the lack of creativity in the attacking third resulting in a defeat.
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Story of the Match
Mikel Arteta made the one change to this starting eleven from the weekend defeat to Newcastle United with Ben White coming in for the injured Declan Rice, who did not travel to Italy after picking up a problem and was left out as a precaution. This meant that Thomas Partey moved into midfield with White moving into his natural position of right-back.
A massive boost for the North London outfit was the return of Martin Odegaard, who made the Arsenal bench for the first time in 12 games, after picking up an injury at the end of September.
The hosts, on the other hand, were missing a number of key players such as Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Marcus Thuram, who all had to settle for a place on the bench.
Both sides entered the match undefeated, winning two and drawing one, looking to get themselves onto 10 points and further secure a place in the top eight of the new Champions League format.
This was the first time the two sides met since 2003 when Thierry Henry inspired Arsenal to a 5-1 victory in San Siro scoring two of the five.
It was the Italians who started the better of the two sides and, inside the first two minutes, Denzel Dumfries struck the woodwork with a thunderous strike just inside the box. Moments later Çalhanoğlu went close with an effort which went narrowly wide as Inter looked to start fast and catch the Gunners out.
Arteta's side then settled into the game but did little in attack to threaten Yann Sommer's goal, often missing the final ball when they worked the ball into good areas.
Moments before the half-hour mark Gabriel Martinelli whipped in a delightful cross from the left which found the head of Mikel Merino, who beat Sommer to the ball before getting knocked over by the Swiss keeper. Some Arsenal players screamed for a penalty, but nothing was given after VAR checked for a possible spot-kick.
Arsenal then started to gain more control of the game, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both making intelligent runs off the ball, but creating chances still proved to be difficult for the visitors.
Five minutes before the break Inter created arguably the best chance of the game when Dumfries delivered a ball from the right which Arsenal failed to clear, Inter kept the ball alive before Mehdi Taremi headed over the bar from close range, while under pressure from White.
In stoppage time of the first half Inter were awarded a penalty after a free-kick came into the box which was flicked up onto Merino's arm. Up stepped Çalhanoğlu who had never missed from 12 yards and the Turkish International maintained that record as he stroked the ball down the middle to send his side one up into the break.
Arteta made one change during the break, Gabriel Jesus replaced Merino which pushed Havertz back into midfield as the Brazilian played as the "nine".
There was a clear sign of what Arteta wanted from his side for the second half and that was to press their opponents high up the pitch, which in turn gave Inter space in behind to play through and create chances on the break.
Arsenal's pressure continued as just before the hour mark Saka sent in a corner from the right which came off a couple of bodies before being cleared off the line by Dumfries, the closest Arsenal had come to an equaliser.
Moments later, Havertz had an effort which was destined for the top left corner clawed away by Sommer, Arsenal were getting closer to finding a way back into the game at this point, which prompted Simone Inzaghi to make changes.
On came Henrikh Mkhitaryan along with Barella and Thuram to try and gain some control back in the game which was getting away from the home side. For all Arsenal's pressure, they had nothing to show for it, while Inter still remained a threat on the break.
With 15 minutes remaining Havertz was presented with a golden opportunity to get his side back on level terms and he would have done so if it was not for Yann Bisseck who made a superb block which sent the ball out for a corner.
Arteta turned to Ethan Nwaneri to make his Champions League debut at just 17 years old and Oleksandr Zinchenko in an attempt to try and inject any sort of creativity into his side.
Heading into second-half stoppage time Arsenal resorted to crossing from wide areas with Gabriel Magalhães becoming a makeshift striker, but nothing would fall for the Gunners as the game started to get away from them.
Martin Odegaard was introduced to the game in the 93rd minute but was ineffective on his return to the squad, despite it being a huge boost to see him back on the pitch for Arsenal.
As the full-time whistle was blown the home fans roared as Inter kept four clean sheets in a row for the first time in the competition as they are yet to concede this campaign in Europe, moving themselves up to fifth in the league.
As for Arsenal they slipped to 12th place after suffering their first defeat of the season in Europe and remain on seven points and in a knockout position in the Champions League's new-look League Phase.
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Player of the Match - Hakan Çalhanoğlu
The Turkish international was at the heart of everything good Inter did going forward, always looking to create a chance when getting on the ball.
Returning from injury from the bench on the weekend Çalhanoğlu started this evening and played a pivotal role for his side. The 30-year-old was everywhere for his team both defensively and when going forward, looking to create at any opportunity.
His goal from the spot was the deciding factor in the game, maintaining his one hundred per cent record from 12 yards in his career.
You could argue player of the match could have gone to a defensive player for Inter considering their desire to keep a clean sheet but the match-winner will take all the plaudits.
