By Mark Ogagan
Hakan Calhanoglu scored the only goal from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time as Italian champions Inter Milan beat Arsenal 1-0 at the San Siro stadium on Wednesday night.
Neither side had conceded a goal in their opening three games in the competition, but Arsenal’s defence was finally breached in an unfortunate fashion on the stroke of half-time after a harsh handball decision against Mikel Merino.
Calhanoglu has now converted 19 out of 19 penalties in all competitions since joining Inter.
Arsenal laid siege to the Inter goal in the second half with Kai Havertz denied by home keeper Yann Sommer and having another effort deflected just wide, but Inter defended superbly to move to 10 points from four games and up to fifth place in the standings.
Arsenal have now slipped to 12th place with seven points in four games.
In other matches played on Wednesday night, Club Brugge outclassed Aston Villa 1-0. Hans Vanaken’s cool penalty helped seal the maximum points and halt Aston Villa’s 100% start to the campaign. The Blauw-Zwart captain sent Emiliano Martínez the wrong way with his 52nd-minute spot kick, after Tyrone Mings had handled in the area.
The hosts had gone closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Ferran Jutglà’s powerful effort struck a post. Ollie Watkins had the best chance for the Villans midway through the opening period, but his shot skidded narrowly wide.
In Gelsenkirchen, Georgiy Sudakov inspired Shakhtar Donetsk to their first league phase victory as they edged Young Boys 2-1. After Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller’s excellent early save denied Eguinaldo, the visitors opened their account for the campaign when Kastriot Imeri slotted in his first Champions League goal.
The Pitmen were in charge thereafter, though, equalising when Oleksandr Zubkov tapped in Sudakov’s cross. The provider’s twisting run and drilled 41st-minute finish from the edge of the box proved to be the winner, leaving the Swiss side still seeking their first points.
French upstarts Brest remain unbeaten in their debut Champions League campaign, a first-half strike from Edimilson Fernandes and a Kaan Kairinen own goal enough to seal all three points in the Czech capital.
Fernandes slipped as Kamory Doumbia’s corner was headed clear into his path, but the midfielder’s shot still flew past Peter Vindahl. The French team doubled their lead when Ludovic Ajorque intercepted Vindahl’s clearance and his cutback was bundled over the line by Kairinen. Victor Olatunji prodded in a late consolation for the hosts.
The top eight sides automatically qualify for the last 16.
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