MILAN — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed deep frustration following his team’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, largely attributing the loss to two controversial penalty decisions.

The match’s sole goal was scored just before halftime when Inter was granted a penalty. The contentious decision occurred after a free kick entered the area, ricocheting off Mehdi Taremi and striking Mikel Merino’s outstretched arm, allowing Hakan Çalhano?lu to successfully convert the penalty.

Earlier in the game, Merino himself had a penalty appeal turned down after a video assistant referee review. He was struck in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer while both players contested a cross, but the officials deemed there was no foul.

“Well, I don’t understand; it’s just a deflection,” lamented Arteta regarding the penalty awarded against Merino. “There is no danger at all; you cannot react because the ball is very close. But fine, they determined it was a penalty. However, if that’s the case, then the incident involving Merino, where he was punched in the head, should absolutely be a penalty. These inconsistencies are part of the game and they are very, very hard to accept.”

Çalhano?lu’s penalty marked the first time Arsenal conceded a goal in this season’s Champions League.

Arteta was adamant that his team deserved better results from what he described as “by far the best match we’ve played in the last few years” on the European stage.

Although Arsenal pushed relentlessly for an equalizer, Inter’s defense held firm against the continuous pressure.

“I am extremely frustrated,” Arteta said. “In the end, it was two decisions that heavily influenced the result and the direction of the game.”