Uncertain Inter Milan with questions to answer before Arsenal clash

MILAN – Inter Milan’s European and domestic ambitions face a big week with the visits of both Arsenal and Napoli, as the Italian champions try to banish worrying signs of frailty.

Simone Inzaghi’s team are level on seven points with Arsenal in the revamped Champions League and sit handily within the top-eight bracket, which offers direct qualification to the last 16.

On the face of it, Inter are in good form ahead of the Nov 6 clash against the Gunners with seven wins in an unbeaten run of eight in all competitions since their only defeat of the season, in September’s Milan derby.

But the impressive results hide an indecisive streak which has characterised their performances this term and left them trailing surprise Serie A leaders Napoli.

Inter conceded just 22 goals in Serie A last season as they crushed the domestic competition and Inzaghi’s side were heavy favourites to retain the Scudetto after keeping hold of star players and adding to an already strong squad.

But their previously solid defence has already been breached 13 times in 11 league fixtures while their formidable attack has lost the ability to close out matches.

Chucking away a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Juventus was the latest episode of a series of uncharacteristic slip-ups after profligate finishing kept opponents in games.

And even their 1-0 win over Venezia on Nov 3, which moved Inter to one point behind Napoli, came after the video assistant referee spotted Marin Sverko’s almost-imperceptible handball and disallowed his stoppage-time equaliser.

Inzaghi knows where the problems lie as he looked ahead to the match against Arsenal.

“We need to be more clinical. We missed a lot of good chances which would have made the match easier... we shouldn’t have only been 1-0 ahead in the 97th minute,” he said following the victory over promoted Venezia.

Marcus Thuram, who has missed only one match in Inter’s packed fixture list, was one of those guilty of misfiring in a tired-looking display against Venezia.

With the top-of-the-table clash against Napoli looming on Nov 10, Inzaghi hinted that the likes of Thuram, Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan might not start against the Gunners.

Good news for Inter comes in the shape of the return of key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi, whom Inzaghi said will be available after a fortnight out with a thigh strain.

Inzaghi added that the only player missing will be wing-back Carlos Augusto but with Federico Dimarco in red-hot form, the Brazil international had little chance of featuring.

Dimarco set up Lautaro Martinez’s winner against Venezia, his sixth assist of the season for club and country. The Italy international will be key to Inter’s hopes against both Arsenal and Napoli.

The Gunners, meanwhile, said on Nov 5 that captain Martin Odegaard is back in full training after two months on the sidelines.

Odegaard, who injured his ankle while on international duty in September, was taking another step towards a first-team return. AFP