'WE CAN BEAT CHELSEA IF WE PLAY LIKE THIS'

Gunners boss Arteta blames ref for Inter loss but upbeat ahead of crunch EPL clash

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MILAN - Mikel Arteta surveyed the wreckage of Arsenal's controversial Champions League defeat at Inter Milan on Nov 6, and insisted that his spluttering side will emerge from the rubble to salvage their troubled season.

The Gunners crashed to a 1-0 loss in the San Siro, adding to the growing sense of turmoil around a team who were expected to mount a strong challenge for European and domestic silverware this campaign.

Arteta's men dominated for large periods against their Italian opponents, but were left to rue a controversial penalty in first-half stoppage time when Mikel Merino was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Hakan Calhanoglu converted the spot kick and Arsenal were unable to muster an equaliser as they fell to a second successive 1-0 defeat after their English Premier League loss at Newcastle United last weekend.

They have won just two of their last six games in all competitions, with those victories hardly impressive against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston North End in the League Cup.

The Gunners are languishing in fifth place in the Premier League, already seven points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of the crucial London derby at Chelsea on Nov 10.