Inter Milan's Uncertainty: Key Questions to Address Ahead of Arsenal Showdown

Inter Milan are gearing up for a crucial week as they welcome both Arsenal and Napoli to their home turf. The Italian champions are looking to shake off any signs of vulnerability, as they sit level on seven points with Arsenal in the Champions League. Currently sitting in the top eight positions for direct qualification to the last 16, Simone Inzaghi's team are in a strong position heading into their match on Wednesday. With seven wins in their last eight games across all competitions, Inter Milan are in top form and ready to take on the challenge ahead.

But the good results hide an indecisive streak which has characterised Inter's performances this term and left them trailing surprise Serie A leaders Napoli.

Inter conceded just 22 goals in Serie A last season as they crushed the domestic competition and Inzaghi's side were heavy favourites to retain the Scudetto after keeping hold of star players and adding to an already strong squad.

But Inter's previously solid defence has already been breached 13 times in 11 league fixtures while their formidable attack has lost the ability to close out of matches.

Chucking away a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Juventus was the latest episode of a series of uncharacteristic downfalls after profligate finishing kept opponents in games.

And even Sunday's single-goal win over Venezia, which moved Inter to one point behind Napoli came after VAR officials spotted Marin Sverko's almost imperceptible handball and disallowed his stoppage time equaliser.

"We need to be more clinical. We missed a lot of good chances which would have made the match easier... we shouldn't have only been 1-0 ahead in the 97th minute," said Inzaghi.

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Lautaro Martinez, the match winner at the weekend, is set to make his first start in this season's Champions League alongside Marcus Thuram.

France striker Thuram has only missed one match in Inter's packed fixture list and was one of those guilty of missed chances in a tired-looking display against Venezia.

Inter are in the Champions League top eight thanks to his late winner at Young Boys last month, when both Thuram and Martinez had to come off the bench to save the day after disappointing efforts from their back-ups Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi.

Good news for Inter comes in the shape of the return of key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi who Inzaghi said will be available after a fortnight out with a thigh strain.

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Inzaghi said the only player missing will be wing-back Carlos Augusto but with Federico Dimarco in red hot form, the Brazil international had little chance of featuring against the Gunners.

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Dimarco set up Martinez's winner against Venezia, his fifth assist of the season for club and country. The Italy international will be key to Inter's hopes against both Arsenal and Napoli on Sunday.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)