Arsenal are in Milan ahead of the Champions League game against Inter at the San Siro.
The Gunners are in a good place in Europe’s elite club competition. They have won two and drawn one of their first three games, which is a very good record.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping to continue winning in the Champions League, especially considering that his side’s recent form in the Premier League has been shocking – no wins in their last three games.
That makes the game on Wednesday night very important, but things haven’t completely gone to plan for Arteta and Arsenal so far.
Arsenal came close to getting punished by UEFA before Inter Milan clash
Arteta is a disciplinarian himself, so the last thing he would want to do is break the rules.
The Arsenal manager has got in trouble a few times for his antics on the touchline and comments in front of the media, but for the most part, he has stayed away from hot water.
However, in Milan on Tuesday, Arteta and Arsenal could’ve faced punishment from UEFA for a delay in their pre-match press conference.
UEFA rules state that all press conferences should be held between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm local time. There are no exceptions unless it has been agreed in advance with the organisation.
Arteta was scheduled to hold his press conference at 7:00 pm local time on Tuesday, but neither the Arsenal manager nor Bukayo Saka were anywhere to be seen.
The reason behind the delay is unclear at the time of writing, but as the clock got close to 8:00 pm, journalists waiting for them wondered if Arsenal are about to get punished.
Thankfully, Arteta arrived just minutes before 8:00 pm and Arsenal narrowly avoided any punishment from UEFA.
Arteta explains what makes Inter Milan ‘tricky and unpredictable’
Inter Milan will be Arsenal’s biggest test in the Champions League so far this season.
Simone Inzaghi has built a terrific side, and the Nerazzurri are a very difficult side to beat. Even Manchester City couldn’t get the better of them when they faced them.
Arteta is well aware of the Italian champions’ strengths, and he explained the tough test his side are expected to face on Wednesday night.
He said, as per Arsenal.com: “I think they have a really clear idea and identity and that for me is the biggest strength of Inter and that’s full credit to the manager.
“He has some very specific ideas, especially in ball possession, the way he moves the position of certain players to occupy different spaces and this makes it tricky and unpredictable.
“But to be fair, we face in the Premier League a lot of tactical issues that we have to resolve and hopefully tomorrow we’re going to do that as well.”