Mikel Arteta was left seething after a contentious penalty awarded to Arsenal was rescinded following a VAR review in a thrilling 1-1 stalemate against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi‑final. The incident occurred in the 78th minute when Eberechi Eze appeared to be brought down by Atletico defender David Hancko. Referee Danny Makkelie initially pointed to the spot for the third time in the match, signalling a penalty, but after consulting the video assistant he changed his mind, concluding that the contact was insufficient to warrant a spot‑kick.
Arteta publicly condemned the reversal, calling it "completely unacceptable" and expressing his disappointment after reviewing the footage in the dressing room. He said, "I’m extremely upset and annoyed. It was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie.
I’m very upset." His frustration reflected a broader sense of injustice felt by the Gunners, who had believed they had earned a crucial goal that could have tipped the balance in their favour. The line‑ups for the match were as follows: Atletico Madrid started with Jan Oblak in goal, a back line of Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri and Simeone, midfielders Cardoso and Koke, and a forward line of Lookman, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez. Arsenal fielded Aaron Ramsdale (listed as Raya in the original report) between the sticks, a defence of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Kieran Tierney, a midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, and a forward line of Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres. Declan Rice was named Player of the Match for his composure and leadership in midfield.
Gyökeres had earlier converted a penalty for Atletico after being pushed over by the same defender, Hancko. The Spanish side then equalised through Julian Alvarez, who stepped up after another VAR intervention ruled that Ben White had handled the ball. The referee determined that White's arm was in an unnatural position when Marcos Llorente's shot struck it, awarding a second penalty that Alvarez calmly dispatched to the net.
Arsenal entered the match with the ambition of reaching the Champions League final for only the second time in their history. They dominated the first half, controlling possession and creating several chances, but struggled to break down a disciplined Atletico defence.
The second half saw the Spanish side surge forward, applying sustained pressure that tested Arsenal’s resolve. Alvarez’s free‑kick drifted just wide of the post, Griezmann clanged a shot onto the cross‑bar, and Ademola Lookman’s effort was saved by the alert reflexes of Jan Oblak when he should have been in a better position to score from the centre of the box. The Gunners, however, remained resilient and continued to press, eventually earning the controversial penalty that was later overturned.
When the VAR decision was announced, the home crowd erupted in approval, while Atletico manager Diego Simeone celebrated exuberantly. Arsenal’s substitute Cristhian Mosquera later forced a save from Oblak with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, demonstrating that the visitors were still a threat despite the setback.
The 1-1 result leaves Arsenal with a positive platform to return to the Emirates for the second leg, where they will aim to secure a win that could see them face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint‑Germain in the final. Nevertheless, the disputed penalty call has left Arteta and his squad feeling aggrieved, believing they were denied a decisive advantage.
In his post‑match press conference, Arteta vented his frustration: "What I’m incredibly fuming about is how the hell the penalty on Eze gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error. This changes the course of the game at this level.
I’m sorry, but this cannot happen." He continued, "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 need to apply the rules.
They applied the rules on Ben’s penalty. That is difficult to accept but it is a penalty with a handball, and what they said at the beginning of the season. Yes, it’s a clear and very obvious penalty.
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." Arteta’s remarks highlighted the emotional toll that such split‑second decisions can have on a team that has worked tirelessly throughout the season. He also praised his players for their tenacity, noting that despite the disappointment they had shown “remarkable competitiveness” against a side that has previously knocked out some of the world’s best clubs. Diego Simeone, when asked about the incidents, offered a measured response: "I never give my opinion on my colleague’s statement.
In terms of their first penalty, in my humble opinion, the player feels contact on his back and he drops down. In the Champions League semi‑finals, this cannot be a penalty, but the referee believed it was. The second one was not a penalty. Sometimes the VAR plays in your favour and sometimes it doesn’t." Both managers acknowledged the role of technology in modern football, but their comments underscored the lingering controversy surrounding VAR decisions and the perception that they can swing the momentum of high‑stakes matches.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will shift focus back to the Premier League, where they host Fulham on Saturday at 5.30 pm, a fixture that could prove pivotal in the title race. Atletico, meanwhile, return to LaLiga action with an away match against Valencia on Saturday afternoon. The drama of the night at the Metropolitano Stadium will undoubtedly dominate post‑match analysis, with the overturned penalty becoming a talking point for fans, pundits and officials alike.
While the draw keeps Arsenal’s hopes alive, the lingering sense of injustice may serve as motivation for the second leg, where both sides will be keen to settle the score on the pitch rather than in the video booth. For those following the competition, the Champions League schedule remains packed with decisive fixtures, and the tournament’s knockout phase continues to deliver moments of high drama, tactical intrigue and, occasionally, contentious rulings that spark debate across the footballing world.
Fans can stay updated on the latest developments, watch highlights, and access exclusive content through the Sky Sports app, which offers live streaming, in‑depth analysis and interactive features for a comprehensive Champions League experience. Finally, for a bit of fun off the pitch, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £250,000. It’s a reminder that even amidst the tension of elite football, there are lighter moments to enjoy.