Arsenal travels to Italy today (Jan 20) looking to maintain their flawless 100% record in the Champions League group stage. With 18 points from six matches, the Gunners face Inter Milan at the iconic San Siro, knowing that a victory or even a draw would officially secure their place in the round of 16.
The Pursuit of Dominance Mikel Arteta’s side has been the standout performer in Europe this season. A win tonight would not only keep their perfect streak alive but also ensure they head into the knockout stages as top seeds, granting them home advantage for the decisive second-leg ties at the Emirates Stadium.
“This match is extremely important,” Arteta told reporters in Milan. “We know what a win today represents. We want to keep this momentum and make it happen at one of the toughest stadiums in world football.”
Team News: Calafiori Out, Hincapié Doubtful Arsenal will be forced to rotate their squad due to injuries. Defender Riccardo Calafiori and young striker Max Dowman remain sidelined. There is also a major doubt surrounding Piero Hincapié, who faces a late fitness test. However, the inclusion of summer signings like Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze in the predicted lineup shows the depth Arteta now has at his disposal.
The Opposition: Chivu’s Inter Inter Milan, now managed by Cristian Chivu, will rely on the firepower of Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram to break Arsenal’s defensive wall. With Manuel Akanji anchoring their defense, the Italians aim to be the first team to take points off the English leaders this season.
Match Identity & Predicted XIs
- Date: January 20, 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 local time (CET) / 19:00 GMT
- Venue: San Siro, Milan
- Referee: João Pinheiro (POR)
Predicted Inter Milan XI: Sommer; Acerbi, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martínez.
Predicted Arsenal XI: David Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eze; Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli.
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🎙️ Pre-match quotes
🔢 Crunching the numbersOur Inter Milan preview is the perfect place for all of the Champions League build-up 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2026
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
