Ex AC Milan Star Lauded For Top Performance In First Start For Inter Milan After Injury Vs Arsenal | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu has received praise for his impressive first start for Inter Milan after coming back from injury against Arsenal.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, give the Turkish international a score of 7.5/10 for his performance in the player ratings for the match.

Calhanoglu was out for a couple of weeks with a thigh problem.

The Turkish international had started for Inter in a Serie A match against Roma last month. However, he was barely able to see out ten minutes before a thigh injury forced him off.

Calhanoglu did not rush back to action after tests confirmed that he had suffered a thigh strain.

But against Venezia last weekend, the former AC Milan midfielder was back in Inter’s squad.

Calhanoglu did feature in that 1-0 win over the Lagunari. He came off the bench in the second half as Inter were seeing out the result.

But that was more of a cameo appearance for the 30-year-old.

Calhanoglu got minutes in his legs ahead of big matches against Arsenal and Napoli.

Against the Gunners yesterday evening, though, Calhanoglu was back in the lineup from the first minute.

And the Turk certainly had quite an impact.

Hakan Calhanoglu Lauded For Inter Injury Return Vs Arsenal

Calhanoglu was the player orchestrating Inter’s possession in a very strong start yesterday.

The 30-year-old showed no signs of rust as he was getting on the ball frequently and always spotting his next pass.

Calhanoglu was a key player for Inter’s very direct and aggressive attacking approach.

And then at the end of the first half, the Turk showed one of his most outstanding traits.

When Inter won a penalty on the stroke of halftime, there was no doubt who would take it.

Calhanoglu is a clinical penalty taker. So much so that he has yet to miss a single one of the spot kicks that he has taken for Inter.

And it was no exception up against Arsenal keeper David Raya yesterday.

Calhanoglu deviated from his usual style of penalty, into the top corner with pace. He waited for Raya to commit to a dive, and then rolled his effort centrally.

After Inter took the lead through Calhanoglu’s penalty, they spent much of the second half defending.

And Calhanoglu showed what a defensive presence he has become in the holding midfield role. He was a vital defensive screen as Inter held Arsenal at bay.