Mikel Arteta left the pitch seething after a contentious penalty decision was reversed 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, which occurred in the 78th minute, saw referee Danny Makkelie initially point to the spot after Eberechi Eze appeared to be brought down by David Hancko. However, after consulting the video assistant referee, the official changed his mind, concluding that the contact was insufficient to merit a penalty. Arteta did not mince words, labeling the reversal "completely unacceptable".
He added, "After reviewing the incident in the dressing room, I am extremely disappointed and annoyed. It contravenes the rules and alters the trajectory of the tie.
I am very upset." The manager’s frustration was echoed by many supporters who felt the decision swung momentum away from the Gunners at a crucial juncture. The match line‑ups featured a host of notable names. Atletico fielded Jan Oblak in goal, with a back line that included Luis Llorente, Alejandro Pubill, David Hancko, and Alessandro Ruggeri. In midfield, Diego Simeone’s side deployed Carlos Cardoso, Koke, and the dynamic duo of Joao Felix and Julian Alvarez, who later became the focal point of the drama.
Arsenal’s starting XI saw Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks, a defensive unit of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney, while the midfield was marshalled by Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and the ever‑reliable Declan Rice, who was later named Player of the Match. The first half was largely controlled by Arsenal, who dictated possession and created several half‑chances. However, the second period saw Atletico launch a sustained assault.
Julian Alvarez earned a free‑kick that narrowly missed the target, while Antoine Griezmann struck the crossbar, and Ademola Lookman’s effort was comfortably saved by Ramsdale after he should have had a clear chance from the centre of the box. The controversy resurfaced when Ben White was penalised for a handball after another VAR check. The referee determined that White’s arm was in an unnatural position when Marcos Llorente’s shot struck him, awarding Atletico a second penalty which Alvarez converted, putting the Spanish side ahead.
Arsenal, intent on reaching the Champions League final for only the second time in their history, responded with vigor. After the second half began, they pressed high and seemed on the verge of equalising when Eze went down inside the box after a foot‑to‑toe clash with Hancko. The home crowd erupted in approval when the decision was overturned, and Simeone celebrated the reprieve. Yet the Gunners continued to probe, with substitute Cristhian Mosquera testing Jan Oblak’s resolve from the edge of the area.
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 and potentially set up a final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint‑Germain. Nevertheless, the overturned penalty will dominate post‑match analysis, with Arteta insisting that such an error "cannot happen" at this level of competition.
In his post‑match press conference, Artura elaborated: "What I’m incredibly fuming about is how the penalty on Eze was overturned in the manner that it happened when there was no clear and obvious error. This changes the course of the game at this level. I’m sorry, but this cannot happen.
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." Diego Simeone, Atletico’s manager, offered a more 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." Looking ahead, Arsenal will shift focus back to the Premier League, where they host Fulham on Saturday at 5.30pm, a match that could prove pivotal in the title race. Atletico, meanwhile, return to LaLiga action with a trip to Valencia on Saturday afternoon. The night at the Metropolitano Stadium will be remembered for its drama, the fine margins that defined the outcome, and the lingering debate over the use of technology in football. Both managers praised their squads for resilience: Simeone highlighted the competitiveness of the Gunners, while Arteta expressed pride in his players' ability to withstand intense pressure after months of hard work.
The stage is now set for a decisive second leg, where the winner will secure a place in what promises to be a historic Champions League final.