Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Arsenal had a penalty controversially overturned following a VAR examine in a pulsating 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid of their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot for the third time within the sport when Eberechi Eze went down following a problem by David Hancko within the 78th minute, however modified his choice after being despatched to the monitor and deeming the contact inadequate.
Arteta described the choice as “completely unacceptable”, including: “After going back to the dressing room and watching the penalty incident, I’m extremely disappointed and annoyed. It was against the rules and changes the course of the tie. I’m very upset.”
Viktor Gyokeres had earlier blasted Arsenal in entrance from the spot having been pushed over by the identical Atletico participant.
Atletico responded by way of Julian Alvarez’s penalty after extra controversy as Ben White was penalised for handball following one other VAR examine, with the defender’s arm deemed to have been in an unnatural place when struck by Marcos Llorente’s shot.
Arsenal, aiming to succeed in the Champions League ultimate for under the second time of their historical past, managed the primary half however needed to stand up to an Atletico onslaught in the beginning of the second.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring for Arsenal in opposition to Atletico Madrid
The wonderful Alvarez despatched a free-kick simply huge, Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar and Ademola Lookman shot straight at David Raya when he ought to have scored from the centre of the field.
Atletico then needed to withdraw the wonderful Alvarez, serving to Arsenal regain management of the sport, and so they appeared to have been handed the prospect to go in entrance when Eze went to floor contained in the field following foot-to-toot contact from Hancko.
The house followers roared their approval when the choice was overturned and Diego Simeone celebrated wildly however the Gunners continued to use stress as substitute Cristhian Mosquera stung the palms of Jan Oblak from the sting of the field.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his penalty
The draw ensures a constructive end result for the Gunners to take again to London for subsequent week’s second leg as they vie to face Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain within the ultimate. However the controversial penalty name left Arteta and his gamers aggrieved to not win.
Arteta ‘extremely fuming’ at penalty overturn
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in his press convention:
“What I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Ebs gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error.
“This modifications the course of the sport at this degree. I am sorry, however this can not occur.
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The Athletic’s David Ornstein was puzzled as to why Arsenal controversially had the second penalty overturned by VAR
“There’s a very clear explanation: the decision, and then what happens for a period of time when the referee has to watch it 13 times. I think it’s impossible and we are all fuming about it.
“We have to apply the foundations. They utilized the foundations on Ben’s penalty. That’s tough to simply accept however it’s a penalty with a handball, and what they mentioned at the start of the season. Sure, it is a clear and really apparent penalty.
Ben White of Arsenal is adjudged to have dealt with in opposition to Atletico Madrid
“But when you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position, that’s another goal that changes the tie completely. And it can’t happen. I’m sorry. We put so much on it. This cannot happen.”
Evaluation: Arsenal aggrieved however present resolve
The choice to overturn Arsenal’s penalty will dominate the fallout to this dramatic evening on the Metropolitano Stadium. “This cannot happen,” mentioned an indignant Arteta.
He felt his aspect had been denied what would have been a well-known victory however the draw is a constructive end result nonetheless. He took encouragement from the way wherein they got here by way of the barrage of Atletico Madrid stress that adopted half-time.
They rode their luck at instances throughout that interval. Griezmann was denied by the width of the crossbar. Lookman shot straight at Raya when it appeared simpler to attain. However Arsenal additionally deserve credit score for his or her resolve. “They are so competitive,” mentioned Diego Simeone.
“I’m very proud,” added Arteta. “I said that to the boys, the way we handled the context for nine-and-a-half months is remarkable. I really value what they’ve done because I’ve seen some of the best teams in the world here fall apart and concede three and four.
“We did not get the end result that we wished, and the way in which we deliberate the sport, we wished to win it. Not less than it’s in our palms, in entrance of our individuals. We need to be in that ultimate and in every week’s time we’re going to have the chance to take action.”
Simeone: Arsenal’s first penalty was wrong
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone in his press conference:
“I by no means give my opinion on my colleague’s assertion.
“In terms of their first penalty, in my humble opinion, the player feels contact on his back and he drops down.
Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko fouls Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres
“In the Champions League semi-finals, this cannot be a penalty, but the referee believed it was.
“The second was not a penalty. Generally the VAR performs in your favour and generally it would not.”
Arsenal’s record unbeaten run
- Arsenal have equalled their longest-ever unbeaten run in the European Cup or Champions League, going 13 consecutive games without defeat for the first time since a run between March 2005 and April 2006.
- Viktor Gyokeres scored his 19th goal of the season for Arsenal. Only Erling Haaland (35) and Igor Thiago (24) have netted more for a Premier League club across all competitions in 2025/26.
- Arsenal’s Declan Rice completed 83 passes against Atletico Madrid, the second-most by an English midfielder in a Champions League semi-final on record after Michael Carrick, who made 99 against Schalke in April 2011.
What’s arising for Arsenal?
Earlier than subsequent Tuesday’s return leg on the Emirates, Arsenal flip their attentions to the Premier League title race with the go to of Fulham on Saturday; kick-off 5.30pm.
Atletico are additionally in LaLiga motion, going through a visit to Valencia on Saturday afternoon.
