Inter Milan vs Arsenal Lineups: Starting XI (Jan 20, 2026)

The San Siro has seen its share of Champions League nights, but Inter Milan vs Arsenal on 20 January 2026 feels different. For the first time since 2003‑04, these two European regulars meet in the competition, and the lineups reveal a fascinating contrast in styles.

Match Date: 20 January 2026 ·
Venue: San Siro, Milan ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League – League Phase ·
Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Lewis‑Skelly, Eze, Zubimendi, Merino, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard ·
Inter Starting XI: Sommer, Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni, Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco, Lautaro, Thuram

Here are the key match facts.

What is Arsenal’s starting lineup today?

Who is Arsenal’s goalkeeper?

Arsenal’s goalkeeper on the night was David Raya, confirmed in the official team sheet published by Inter.it (Inter.it). Raya has been Arteta’s first‑choice shot‑stopper throughout the 2025‑26 season.

What formation did Arsenal use?

Arsenal deployed a 4‑3‑3 shape, with Jurriën Timber at right‑back, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera as centre‑backs, and Myles Lewis‑Skelly at left‑back. The midfield trio consisted of Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus supported Leandro Trossard centrally (Inter.it).

The implication: Arsenal’s tactical setup exploited Inter’s formation, confirming Arteta’s match‑plan execution.

Who is the starting 11 for Inter Milan?

What is Inter’s formation?

Inter lined up in a 3‑5‑2, with Yann Sommer in goal, a back three of Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni, wing‑backs Luis Henrique and Federico Dimarco, and a midfield of Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zieliński, and Luka Sucic. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram formed the strike pair (Inter.it).

Which key players are in the lineup?

• Lautaro Martínez – captain and leading scorer (Inter.it)
• Nicolò Barella – midfield engine, consistently rated among Serie A’s best midfielders (Sky Sports)
• Piotr Zieliński – creative playmaker on loan from Napoli (Football Italia)

The pattern: Inter’s spine held firm in parts, but the 3‑1 loss exposed the system’s weakness against wide‑heavy attacks.

Who is Inter Milan’s best player?

Historical greats at Inter

Inter’s all‑time top scorer is Giuseppe Meazza with 284 goals in all competitions (Inter.it). Other legends include Giacinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, and Javier Zanetti, each of whom defined eras for the Nerazzurri.

Current star players

Current captain Lautaro Martínez is the club’s top scorer since 2022 and leads by example. Nicolò Barella is widely regarded as the most complete midfielder in Serie A, while Alessandro Bastoni anchors the defence with composure (Sky Sports).

What this means: Inter’s current stars continue a rich tradition, but the 2026 defeat raises questions about whether their spine can adapt to modern tactical demands.

Who has beaten Arsenal the most?

Head-to-head record with top rivals

Manchester United hold the record for most wins against Arsenal: 98 victories in all competitions as of the 2025‑26 season (Sky Sports). In the Premier League era alone, United have beaten Arsenal 39 times, more than any other club.

Premier League defeats

Arsenal’s other frequent tormentors include Chelsea (65 wins) and Liverpool (64 wins) in all competitions. Inter Milan, by contrast, have only one competitive win against Arsenal – a 3‑0 victory in the 2003‑04 Champions League group stage.

The catch: While Manchester United and other Premier League rivals have historically hurt Arsenal, Inter’s lone win came in a different era, making the 2026 loss particularly notable.

Who is bigger, AC Milan or Inter?

Two clubs, one stadium, decades of rivalry. The debate over which Milan club is “bigger” has no single answer, but the numbers give a clear shape.

The trade-off: Inter has more domestic titles, AC Milan dominates Europe. For fans, the answer depends on which trophy you value most.

For Arsenal supporters, the 3‑1 victory at San Siro signals that Arteta’s fluid system can handle the best Italian defenses. But for Inter, the result raises questions about Inzaghi’s 3‑5‑2 against top‑tier width. The implications for the rest of the Champions League group stage are clear: Arsenal’s path to the knockout phase looks far smoother, while Inter must regroup quickly.

Frequently asked questions