Inter Milan await Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final – if the Gunners can overcome PSG inside the Parc des Princes.
The Italian giants emerged from a remarkable tie as 7-6 winners over Barcelona on aggregate to book a spot in the UEFA Champions League final, Inter Milan’s second in three seasons under Simone Inzaghi.
If Arsenal can overturn their 1-0 deficit from the first leg against PSG, a repeat of the league phase clash from November will be seen in Munich for the final, where Inter Milan recorded a 1-0 win over the Gunners.
Should this happen, Matteo Darmian has already highlighted an Arsenal star he admires in Bukayo Saka.
What Matteo Darmian said about Bukayo Saka in November ahead of potential Inter Milan vs Arsenal final
Before that league phase clash inside the San Siro, which Inter Milan won thanks to a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, Darmian hailed Saka, telling Tutto Mercato Web: “We know the quality of Saka and the other attacking players they have. We will have to work at a team level and do our best to cause them problems when we have the ball.
“He is an important player for them, he has great qualities in one-on-one situations.”
Saka has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 33 appearances, despite suffering an injury-hit campaign, so the numbers certainly reinforce what Darmian is saying.
Simone Inzaghi was also very complimentary towards Arsenal
Inzaghi – who Tottenham admire – echoed the thoughts of Darmian after the UEFA Champions League clash in November, even going as far as saying Arsenal were among the best teams he has seen in the competition.
The Gunners had 20 shots and 63% possession on the night, also winning 13 corners compared to none from Inter Milan.
As a result, Inzaghi lauded Arsenal, saying: “We had to fight for it against a very strong, intense team that caused us problems above all from set plays. Arsenal are one of the best teams I have seen so far in the Champions League this season.
“Arsenal impressed me with their intensity and organization.”
Should Arsenal end up meeting Inter Milan in the final, that clash back in November will surely provide both Inzaghi and Arteta with plenty of food for thought.
