Mikel Arteta erupted with frustration after a contentious penalty decision was reversed following a VAR review in a thrilling 1-1 stalemate between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi‑final. The Dutch referee, Danny Makkelie, initially pointed to the spot for the third time in the match when Eberechi Eze appeared to be brought down by David Hancko in the 78th minute. However, after consulting the video assistant, he concluded that the contact was insufficient to merit a penalty and overturned the call. Artura labelled the reversal "completely unacceptable" and said, "After watching the incident back in the dressing room I am extremely disappointed and annoyed.
It was against the rules and changes the course of the tie. I’m very upset." The manager’s outburst highlighted how pivotal he believes the missed spot‑kick could have been in a game of such magnitude. The line‑ups featured Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak (6), a back line of Llorente (6), Pubill (6), Hancko (5), Ruggeri (6) and a midfield anchored by Simeone (6), Cardoso (6), Koke (7), with the attacking trio of Lookman (7), Griezmann (7) and Julian Alvarez (8).
Arsenal fielded Aaron Raya (7) between the sticks, a defence of White (6), Saliba (7), Gabriel (7), Hincapie (7), a midfield of Zubimendi (6), Rice (8), Odegaard (6) and an attacking line of Martinelli (6), Madueke (7) and Viktor Gyokeres (7). Substitutes included Eze (7), Saka (6), Jesus (6), Trossard (6) and Mosquera (n/a).
Declan Rice was named Player of the Match. Gyokeres had earlier put Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot after being pushed over by the same Atletico defender.
Atletico responded quickly when Julian Alvarez converted a second penalty, this time awarded after Ben White was judged to have handled the ball. VAR determined that White's arm was in an unnatural position when Marcos Llorente's shot struck him, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Arsenal, eager to secure a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in their history, dominated the opening half but were forced to endure a surge of pressure from the Spanish side after the break.
Alvarez's free‑kick drifted just wide, Griezmann clanged the ball onto the crossbar, and Lookman’s effort was saved by Raya when he should have been able to finish from the centre of the box. Later in the second half, Atletico were forced to withdraw Alvarez due to injury, giving Arsenal a brief window of control.
Eze fell inside the box after a foot‑to‑toe clash with Hancko, prompting the initial penalty call that was subsequently rescinded. The home crowd erupted in approval when the decision was overturned, while Diego Simeone celebrated exuberantly.
Arsenal continued to press, with substitute Cristhian Mosquera challenging Jan Oblak from the edge of the area. The 1-1 result leaves the Gunners with a respectable away point to take back to London for the second leg, where they will hope to out‑maneuver either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint‑Germain in the final. Nevertheless, the disputed penalty decision left Arteta and his squad feeling aggrieved at missing a potential winning goal.
In his post‑match press conference, Arteta vented his anger: "What I’m incredibly fuming about 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 added, "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." Arteta continued, "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." The overturned penalty will dominate the analysis of the night at the Metropolitano.
Arteta felt his side had been denied a historic victory, yet he praised the resilience his players showed under sustained Atletico pressure. "They are so competitive," Simeone observed, while Arteta responded, "I’m very proud. 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 or four." He concluded, "We didn’t get the result we wanted, and the way we planned the game, we wanted to win it.
At least it is in our hands, in front of our people. We want to be in that final and in a week’s time we are going to have the opportunity to do so." Atletico’s manager Diego Simeone, when asked about the incidents, said, "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 turn their focus to the Premier League title race with a trip to Fulham on Saturday at 5.30 pm before hosting the return leg at the Emirates. Atletico, meanwhile, return to La Liga with an away fixture against Valencia on Saturday afternoon. The drama of the night, the VAR controversy, and the narrow margin between triumph and disappointment will remain talking points as both clubs prepare for the decisive second leg.