By Tony Attwood

• Another weekend goes by. Another example of why penalties can be so crucial.
• Putting aside the goalless affair, what about Inter?

So…we should probably start with a reminder of the fact that this is going to be the toughest game of the season so far.  Here are the comparative domestic figures for Arsenal and Inter so far this season.

 

 

And here is the Champions League table showing the two clubs…

 

 

Inter as we can see have lost two of their Champions League games so far, and interestingly, these were the last two games they played; losing 2-1 away to Atletico Madrid and 0-1 at home to Liverpool.

So far, we know five of the eight teams that have automatically qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League – they are

• Arsenal
• Bayern Munich
• Paris Saint-Germain
• Manchester City
• Atalanta

Now this clearly indicates that in this match, Inter have everything to play for, and Arsenal are playing for pride.  For Inter, a draw will probably be enough to secure the required top eight finish, while a win would make it certain.  This suggests they are going to be throwing everything at Arsenal in this game.

Arsenal, having already secured their place, could give some players a rest and reduce the eternal risk of injuries.  Although being top of the group looks good and gives us something to crow about over the club currently placed 11th, which operate a little way away from Arsenal and are currently engaged in a civil war, in reality, any place in the top eight, (which Arsenal are certain to get given the results so far), is enough.

So Tottenham could end up anywhere, and they must be rather unhappy that their game is against Dortmund at home, where they have not been doing very well in recent times, as you might have noticed.    And it is worth following events with them at the moment because of the rather unusual ways things are moving.  For example, the Guardian today proclaims that Thomas Frank insists ‘everything normal’  – at Tottenham, and I guess it is by their standards of late it probably seems that war.  Poor home results and a civil war among supporters in N17 is pretty much the norm for that part of the city.   No team has actually been eliminated from the Champions League yet so technically the Tottse could go out, but it seems unlikely. 

Tottenham are 11th and so will play in the extra knockout round that Arsenal will miss. That Round of 16 games will be played over March 10-11, and March 17-18 during which time Arsenal will be able to relax and train.  Tottenham have won twice in their past 13 league matches

As for tonight, the Standard has the headline…

Arsenal get major injury boost for Inter Milan clash after training update

That is based on the report that “Bukayo Saka took part in Arsenal’s open training session ahead of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan.”   

I am not too sure that Saka will play no matter how fit – the result of the game will make no difference to Arsenal’s progress, and other players want time on the pitch – so why should he be risked?   

On Sunday, we have Manchester United at home.   And we need to remember that the almighty ManU did rather poorly last season, finishing 15th in the Premier League, and are thus not playing European football this season. Their manager has been quoted as saying recently that they are benefitting from this, adding, “I think we were not prepared to play Europe.”    I think we might agree. 

But to return for a final look at Inter, their results this season do look like they are travelling in a certain direction…

So yes, a set of wins as we might expect, but the goal scoring has declined since New Year’s Day and in the last three games, they have had a draw and two 1-0 victories.  OK that is not relegation standard, but not quite top of the league standard either – although as the table at the top of the page shows, that is exactly where they are.