Latest Arsenal injury news from Mikel Arteta ahead of the Champions League group phase tie against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night
Connor O'Neill
21:13, 19 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta speaks to the media ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game against Inter Milan
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Mikel Arteta speaks to the media ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game against Inter Milan(Image: (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal will be without Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori and Max Dowman for the Champions League clash against Inter Milan. The Gunners have won all six of their league phase matches so far but were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
And although the Gunners will be without Hincapie, Calafiori and Dowman, Cristhian Mosquera and Kai Havertz will be available. Should Arsenal finish in the top two of the standings at the end of the league phase, they will have second-leg home advantage in every knockout round through to the final if they make it that far.
And asked about the importance of finishing in the top two, Arteta said: “Yes, for that, because every game in the Champions League, when you have the opportunity to achieve something, you have to grab it, and tomorrow we're really going to have to earn it against a top, top side.
“We know that and then we prepare every game, obviously, to win it and the urgency is going to be the same tomorrow.”
Inter will host Arsenal for the second consecutive year, after the Nerazzurri secured a 1-0 victory last season.
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“Well, a very similar context to last year; obviously, where the two teams are at the moment is a bit different," Arteta said when asked about the Serie A side.
“A new manager as well, I think he has given them some of the things in their identity and the way they play. But obviously, a super competitive team, a team that is dominating the league and a really tough game.”
Viktor Gyokeres has scored just eight goals since he signed for Arsenal and was replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the second half of a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“I think it goes for all the nines in the league and how difficult it is to play that position nowadays with the physicality, with the dominance of the centre-backs and the quality of them and the lack of spaces as well in most of the times during the match for them to exploit” Arteta said when asked about the forward.
Mikel Arteta with Viktor Gyokeres in Arsenal training
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Mikel Arteta with Viktor Gyokeres in Arsenal training(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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“But that's about consistency, about going again. We know his work rate, he's really trying to give his best and we need to continue to work.”
And reflecting on the draw at the City Ground, Arteta said: “Well, we weren't satisfied with the results, obviously.
“Watching the game back more and then with the other results even more, obviously. But I think it shows the competitiveness of every match, where the league is at the moment, how difficult and how much we have to value every point and every win because you really have to earn it in the league.
“And now, change the scenario, we are back in the Champions League, here again a year later and ready for tomorrow.”
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