Inter Milan's Triple Milestones: Assist King Shines as Europe’s Fourth Best, Adding Drama to Arsenal Showdown

Inter Milan’s narrow 1-0 victory over Venezia in Serie A was anything but straightforward. A series of contentious refereeing decisions, Yann Sommer’s heroic saves, and some late-match anxiety highlighted the evening. Yet, the Nerazzurri’s seventh win in their last eight games brought plenty to celebrate, especially as they closed the gap with league leaders Napoli to just one point ahead of their direct clash. Adding to the significance, three Inter players marked major milestones in this game, while Federico Dimarco’s standout performance and key metrics have intensified anticipation for their upcoming Champions League showdown against Arsenal.

Key Milestones for Inter Trio

The match against Venezia was a momentous occasion for three Inter players. Stefan de Vrij recorded his 150th win across all competitions with the club. Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan reached his 100th Serie A appearance (47 with Roma, 53 with Inter), though his performance drew criticism from coach Simone Inzaghi for missed opportunities that kept the game uncomfortably tight. Federico Dimarco, another milestone man, made his 150th appearance in Inter colors, and his exceptional contributions were critical to the team’s victory.

Mkhitaryan’s Struggles in Front of Goal

Despite reaching his Serie A century, Mkhitaryan’s inability to convert chances remains a persistent issue. Inzaghi’s post-match comments underscored this frustration:
“You cannot head into the final minutes with just a 1-0 lead. We lacked decisiveness in front of goal, and I specifically thought of Mkhitaryan and Thuram.”

Mkhitaryan’s inefficiency dates back to last season when he attempted 39 shots in Serie A but scored just twice, registering a conversion rate of 5%, the lowest among the league’s 80 most frequent shooters. This season, the trend continues. Across Serie A and the Champions League, Mkhitaryan has taken 13 shots, scoring only once, with an improved—but still underwhelming—conversion rate of 8%.

Dimarco’s Standout Performance

Dimarco, in contrast, earned widespread acclaim following his milestone performance. The left wing-back was arguably Inter’s most influential player on the night, receiving the highest ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport and other major Italian media outlets.

Playing 76 minutes, Dimarco delivered a stellar all-around display:

• Tackles: 2 successful
• Duel success rate: 67%
• Pass accuracy: 33 passes, 28 completed
• Key passes: 3, all creating "Big Chances"

Dimarco’s ability to carve out golden opportunities underlined his importance to the team’s attacking dynamic. Since the start of last season, he has recorded 11 assists across all competitions, the highest tally among Inter players in that period. Impressively, four of these assists have gone to Lautaro Martínez, another four to Marcus Thuram, and the remaining three to teammates such as Mkhitaryan, Augusto, and de Vrij.

Leading Europe in Key Metrics

Dimarco’s influence extends beyond Inter. In Serie A this season, he leads in two critical categories:

1. Key passes: 28
2. Big Chances created: 10

Among players in Europe’s top five leagues, Dimarco ranks fourth in "Big Chances" created, trailing only Barcelona’s Raphinha (14), Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (13), and another Barcelona prodigy, Lamine Yamal (12).

This sets up a tantalizing subplot for Inter’s upcoming clash with Arsenal in the Champions League. Dimarco and Saka, two of the most prolific chance creators in European football, are set to face off. Adding spice to the matchup is their likely direct duel, with Dimarco operating as a left wing-back and Saka as a right winger.

"Dimarco vs. Saka": A Matchup Steeped in Legacy

The Dimarco-Saka faceoff is not just about statistics; it represents a clash of philosophies rooted in youth development. Arsenal’s academy chief, Per Mertesacker, recently emphasized the importance of nurturing players from an early age.
“I believe the U9 group is the cornerstone of any elite club’s future. Only historic clubs have the resources to develop a robust selection process at that age,” said Mertesacker.

He added that players who join before the age of nine, like Saka, possess a level of loyalty and belonging that sets them apart. Saka joined Arsenal at eight and has become a cornerstone of the London club. Dimarco, similarly, joined Inter’s academy at seven, forging a deep connection with the club.

These shared roots have fueled comparisons, with European media already hyping their upcoming duel. Both players embody their clubs’ identities and have grown into indispensable assets. As two of Europe’s most creative forces, their battle on the flanks promises to be a spectacle within the broader narrative of the Champions League tie.

A Critical Period Ahead

Inter’s victory over Venezia may have tightened the Serie A title race, but the demanding schedule ahead raises concerns. With fixtures against Arsenal and Napoli looming, the lack of squad rotation could become problematic. Key players like Alessandro Bastoni showed visible signs of fatigue, with the defender cramping before being substituted.

As Inter prepares for this “super devil schedule,” the team’s reliance on Dimarco’s creativity and Lautaro Martínez’s clinical finishing will be crucial. Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan’s profligacy remains an issue that Inzaghi must address if Inter are to maintain their momentum in both domestic and European campaigns.

The stage is set for Inter’s clash with Arsenal—a meeting of tradition, strategy, and talent, punctuated by the high-stakes duel between Dimarco and Saka. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on these two stars, who exemplify the artistry and intensity of modern football.