Arnautovic’s Missed Chance Raises Eyebrows: Owen Left Perplexed by Player’s ‘Arrogance’
Marko Arnautovic’s performance in Inter Milan’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the last 16 clash of the Champions League caught the attention of legendary striker Michael Owen. While Arnautovic emerged as the hero of the match, scoring the winning goal, Owen expressed his concerns about the player’s earlier moment of arrogance.
During the second half of the game at the San Siro, Arnautovic had a great opportunity to score after playing a neat one-two with Lautaro Martinez. However, his effort went over the bar and out for an Atletico goal-kick, leaving the forward visibly frustrated. What caught Owen’s attention was that Arnautovic did a no-look motion for both his pass and shot in the sequence.
Owen, known for his humility on the pitch, criticized Arnautovic’s unnecessary flair. He mentioned players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli, who are known for their arrogance, and pointed out that Arnautovic’s no-look finish was not needed. According to Owen, the player’s head movement caused his weight to distribute backwards, resulting in his shot going over the bar. Owen believed that there was a hint of arrogance in Arnautovic’s finish.
Despite Owen’s disapproval, Arnautovic had the last laugh as he emerged as Inter’s hero on the night, scoring the only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory. The Austrian forward capitalized on Jan Oblak’s save from Martinez’s initial shot and sneaked in the rebound without any unnecessary flair.
This season marks Arnautovic’s return to the Champions League after a 13-year absence. The 34-year-old initially joined Inter on loan from Twente in 2009 before spending six seasons in the Premier League. He had successful spells at Stoke City and West Ham, scoring 26 goals and assisting another 32 for Stoke City in four years. Arnautovic then ventured to China to sign for Shanghai Port before returning to Europe, playing for Bologna and eventually making a comeback at Inter.
Arnautovic’s goal against Atletico Madrid highlights his ability to make an impact on the big stage. While his earlier moment of arrogance raised eyebrows, his determination and resilience ultimately led to Inter’s victory. As the Italian giants continue their journey in the Champions League, Arnautovic will be hoping to prove his worth and silence any doubts about his performance.