How did both sides line up back then?
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“Robert Pirésssss… it’s five” exclaimed flabbergasted commentator Clive Tyldesley back in November 2003. Arsenal had taken just four points from their opening four Champions League group games, and faced a stern trip to play Inter Milan at the San Siro, needing a win to keep their hopes of progression alive. What ensued was one of the club’s most famous European nights, as Thierry Henry inspired the Gunners to a famous 5-1 win in Milan, which ultimately sent Inter out and Arsenal through. The North London side go back to the San Siro to face Inter for the first time since that night this Wednesday, with both sides currently level on seven points from three games in the new Champions League ‘league phase’.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can muster up something as special as that evening two decades ago, but Arsenal go into the game in poor form having gone three Premier League matches without a win, and will face a tough test against Simone Inzaghi’s well-drilled side. The Gunners are often lambasted for their lack of history in Europe, having never won the Champions League or European Cup as it used to be called. But that 5-1 win against Inter remains in Arsenal folklore, and both sides lined up with some stellar names in their XI’s 21 years ago.
Inter 1-5 Arsenal – How did both teams line up?
For the hosts Inter Milan, it was a night to forget at the San Siro, as they were taken apart time and time again by the Gunners in the second half, having gone into the break level at 1-1. Despite the scoreline, the Italian outfit still had some legends in their line up. In between the sticks, they had great Italian keeper Francesco Toldo. In front of him, a back three of 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, Zinedine Zidane’s arch enemy, Matteo Materazzi, and Colombian Iván Córdoba. At left-wing-back was Frenchmen Jérémie Bréchet, whilst club legend Javier Zanetti started at right-wing-back.
In the Inter midfield was Cristiano Zanetti, Dutchman Andy van Der Meyde, and 32-year-old Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi. They supported what, on paper, looks a potent front two, with strikers boasting a mix of experience and youthful energy. 30-year-old Italian cult hero Christian Vieri lined up alongside 19-year-old Nigerian Obafemi Martins, with the former getting Inter’s only goal on the night. The Serie A side’s manager that night was Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, who had only taken over a month earlier.
For Arsène Wenger’s team, it was an XI that will be looked back on with fond nostalgic memories from members of the club’s older fanbase, with the game coming in the same season as the Gunners made history going invincible in the Premier League. In goal was German Jens Lehmann, with Sol Campbell and Pascal Cygan at centre-half. Ivorian Kolo Touré was shifted out to right-back, with a youthful Ashley Cole playing at left-back. Ray Parlour captained the side, and was joined in centre-midfield by Edú, who has recently resigned from his role of Sporting Director at the club. The Brazilian scored that night at the San Siro.
On the left it was Frenchman Pirés, who scored Arsenal’s fifth, with Swede Freddie Ljungberg on the right – he was also on the scoresheet. Up front Henry was nothing short of unplayable that night, scoring two goals and tormenting the Inter defence. He was joined up-top by Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu, with Dennis Bergkamp unable to travel due to his fear of flying. The Gunners were also without club captain Patrick Vieira. Arteta’s team go to Italy this week with some injury problems of their own, but will be boosted by captain Martin Ødegaard returning to training. Arteta will be dreaming of a similar night that Wenger’s team experienced at the San Siro 21 years ago.
