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• Inzaghi expecting Arsenal reaction after Newcastle defeat

  Inter boss Simone Inzaghi is expecting a difficult test against "one of the best teams in Europe" when Arsenal visit the San Siro in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

  Arsenal come into the encounter against the reigning Serie A champions on the back of a defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend. 

  Mikel Arteta's side have now lost two of their last three league games, having tasted defeat just once in their 25 games in the top-flight (W21 D3) in 2024. 

  But Inzaghi, who helped Inter keep pace at the Serie A summit with a controversial 1-0 win over Venezia, is expecting a reaction from the Gunners. 

  "We are facing one of the best teams in Europe, very recognisable with a great coach," Inzaghi said.

  "We all know how the big teams react after a defeat. Look at us after the derby... You find teams out for redress.

  "I saw the match between Arsenal and Newcastle. Playing at Newcastle's home is not easy, but it was an open and fascinating match.

  "We will find a team that lost two-and-a-half days ago, they will want to play a great game at San Siro."

  Inter lost the Derby della Madonnina 2-1 to Milan in September, but have since gone on to win seven of their eight games in all competitions. 

  Inzaghi's side are just ahead of Arsenal in the Champions League table, with both teams picking up seven points from their opening three games. 

  The two sides have only met previously in the 2003-04 Champions League – both games were away wins (Arsenal 0-3 Inter, Inter 1-5 Arsenal).

  While history favours the visiting side, Inzaghi has said his side will try to dominate possession against Arsenal in order to remain unbeaten in the competition. 

  "If you see Arsenal among 100 teams, without knowing the name, you recognise them. They played for the last two English titles, point for point with Manchester City," he said.

  "We will have to try to keep the ball as much as possible, we know that we are facing a team that put on a lot of offensive pressure.

  "We know that it will be a problem for us when they have the ball but the opposite is also true."

  Arsenal have also struggled in recent games in the Champions League in Italy, failing to find the back of the net in their last four away games in the country. 

  Emmanuel Adebayor was the last Gunners player to score there in a 2-0 win over Milan in March 2008, and Inter will be confident of keeping it that way. 

  Although only five teams have faced more shots in the Champions League this season than Inter (53), they have kept three clean sheets so far.

• Kompany targeting Champions League top eight despite stuttering start

  Vincent Kompany is eyeing a place in the top eight of the new Champions League format with Bayern Munich despite back-to-back losses in the competition. 

  Bayern welcome Benfica to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, hoping to recover from defeats to Aston Villa and Barcelona, the first time they have failed to win consecutive games in the competition since April 2017. 

  Kompany's started their Champions League campaign with a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb, but have since plummeted down the new league table. 

  They find themselves 23rd after three matches. However, they have fared better in the Bundesliga, sitting three points clear at the top of the table after nine games. 

  "What we know is you have to win around six (of eight) games to reach the top eight," Kompany said. 

  "You have to win three games and that should be enough for the playoffs. My goal is to reach the top eight."

  Bayern last failed to reach the Champions League knockout stages in 2002-03, finishing bottom of a group that featured Deportivo La Coruna, Lens and Milan. 

  But despite their stuttering start in the competition so far, Kompany said the new format plays no role in the team's planning. 

  "I don't want to think too far ahead because we have enough games," Kompany said.

  "We have to win against Benfica. I don't want to spend too much time thinking about what could happen in January.

  "No one knows how it will work. We only know we want to win tomorrow. We play at home. That is my only goal."

  Bayern, however, have every confidence of getting their European campaign back on track, with the German outfit boasting an impressive record against Benfica. 

  They have played 12 major European matches against Benfica and have never lost (W9 D3). 

  But Bruno Lage's side will be looking to buck that trend, having beaten Atletico Madrid and Red Star Belgrade so far, but they did lose to Feyenoord last time out. 

  "We have a lot of confidence going into this game. We will always adapt and take the steps that are right for the team," Kompany said. 

  "But to say we will change everything is not serious. We just want to win again at home. 

• Salah's contract 'up to him and the club', says Slot

  Arne Slot has asserted Mohamed Salah’s future is “up to him and the club”.

  The Liverpool star has yet to make a decision on whether to renew his contract, and as it stands, will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

  Salah remains a key player for the Reds, and leads the club for Premier League goals (seven) and assists (five) this term.

  He scored the winner in the 72nd minute to complete Liverpool’s comeback against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, as they moved to the top of the table.

  And despite the question marks over Salah's future, Slot is not concerned.

  "[His future] is not what I think about. The only thing I think about is he is so important for us. Scores important goals, works hard for the team," the Liverpool boss told TNT Sports.

  "I’m hoping he can enjoy that feeling many, many, many more times. Especially if I’m here but also if I’m not here. I’m hoping he can do this many more times.

  "He’s been incredible for Liverpool over the past eight years. He’s been incredible for us this season and I hope he can continue doing this for the rest of the season and maybe longer to come, but that’s up to him and the club to find the idea about the future."

  Salah could be in for a historic night on Tuesday when Liverpool face Bayer Leverkusen, having scored in each of his last five Champions League appearances at Anfield.

  The last player to score in six consecutive home games in the competition for an English club was Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United in April 2003.

  Salah sparked renewed talk over his future after posting on Instagram on Sunday, saying that the feeling of scoring at Anfield would remain unforgettable “no matter what happens.”

  But Slot was keen to quash any deeper meaning in the post.

  "I haven’t spoken to him about that. You interpreted it in a way that maybe other people don’t," he told the press.

  "I don’t look at Instagram posts of my players, I only talk to them which you can’t, which is the advantage I have.

  "Mo is in a very good place at the moment. As long as he has been at Liverpool, he has been in a very good place, but this season again as well. I am hoping he will make a post after tomorrow and on Saturday again. What he said with that, that is not important.

  "For me what is important is how he plays and what he tells me when we have conversations. That is what matters and not how you guys interpret one of his posts."