Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left seething after a contentious penalty awarded to his side was rescinded following a VAR review in a thrilling 1-1 stalemate against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi‑final.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 David Hancko, prompting referee Danny Makkelie to initially point to the spot for the third penalty of the match. However, after consulting the video assistant, the official changed his mind, concluding that the contact was insufficient to warrant a spot‑kick.
Arteta labelled the reversal "completely unacceptable" and expressed his frustration in the post‑match press conference. "After reviewing the penalty incident in the dressing room, I am extremely disappointed and annoyed.
It was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie. I'm very upset," he said, underscoring how pivotal he believed the decision to be. The line‑ups for the evening reflected the high stakes. Atletico fielded a side featuring Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente, and the newly signed Julian Alvarez, while Arsenal started with Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba and a midfield anchored by Declan Rice.
Declan Rice was later named Player of the Match for his composure and defensive leadership. The match opened with Arsenal asserting control in the first half, dictating possession and creating several chances. Yet the second half saw Atletico unleash a wave of pressure.
Julian Alvarez, who would later become central to the drama, missed a free‑kick that drifted just wide, while Antoine Griezmann rattled the cross‑bar and Ademola Lookman blazed a shot straight at Ramsdale when a more straightforward finish from the centre of the box would have been expected. The first penalty controversy involved Viktor Gyokeres, who had earlier converted a spot‑kick for Atletico after being pushed by the same Hancko. The Gunners responded when Ben White was adjudged to have handled the ball after a VAR check, awarding a second penalty to the Spanish side. The referee determined that White's arm was in an unnatural position when Marcos Llorente struck the ball, and Julian Alvarez stepped up to coolly slot the spot‑kick home, restoring parity.
Arsenal, hoping to become only the second English club to reach a Champions League final, continued to press despite the setback. Their persistence paid off when Eze appeared to be fouled inside the box by Hancko, leading to the disputed penalty that was ultimately overturned.
The home crowd erupted in approval when the decision was rescinded, and Atletico coach Diego Simeone celebrated emphatically, believing his side had escaped a potentially game‑changing moment. Substitutes also played a part in the narrative.
Cristhian Mosquera, introduced by Atletico, managed to brush the fingertips of Oblak from the edge of the area, while Arsenal’s bench contributed with fresh legs but could not find a decisive breakthrough. The 1-1 result leaves Arsenal with a solid platform to return to the Emirates for the second leg, where they will aim to outscore the Spaniards and secure a place in the final, potentially against Bayern Munich or Paris Saint‑Germain.
Nonetheless, the overturned penalty has left Arteta and his squad feeling short‑changed, believing that a clear goal‑scoring opportunity was denied. In his press conference, Arteta reiterated his anger: "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 changes the course of the game at this level. I'm sorry, but this cannot happen." He went on to criticize the length of the VAR review, noting that the referee had to watch the incident multiple times, which he felt was unreasonable.
"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," Arteta added.
Arteta also defended the decision to award Ben White’s penalty, describing it as a clear handball, but argued that the reversal of Eze’s penalty was far more consequential after nine months of hard work to reach this stage. "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," he said. Diego Simeone, when asked about the incidents, offered a measured response.
He said he would not comment on Arteta’s statements but suggested that the first penalty call was questionable, noting that the player felt contact on his back and fell, but the referee believed it was a foul. Regarding the second penalty, Simeone remarked that sometimes VAR works in your favour and sometimes it does not. Looking ahead, Arsenal will shift focus to the Premier League, with a crucial clash against Fulham on Saturday at 5.30 pm, before the return leg in London next Tuesday.
Atletico, meanwhile, will return to LaLiga action with a trip to Valencia. The night at the Metropolitano will be remembered for its drama, the VAR controversy, and the resilience shown by both sides.
While Arsenal did not secure the win they felt they deserved, the draw keeps their hopes alive and sets the stage for a tense second leg where the penalty saga may yet be revisited in the minds of fans and pundits alike.