Arteta 'fuming' as VAR overturns Arsenal penalty in 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid

Key facts

• Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
• Viktor Gyokeres scored a first-half penalty for Arsenal after being fouled by David Hancko.
• Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico from a penalty after Ben White was adjudged to have handled.
• Referee Danny Makkiele initially awarded Arsenal a second penalty for a foul on Eberechi Eze, then overturned it after VAR review.
• Mikel Arteta said the overturned penalty 'cannot happen' and that the team is 'fuming'.
• Diego Simeone argued Gyokeres 'just drops down' and that his penalty should not have been given.
• The second leg will be played at the Emirates Stadium next week.

A night of high drama and controversy at the Metropolitano

Mikel Arteta described himself as 'fuming' after a VAR decision overturned what would have been Arsenal's second penalty in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg. The result leaves the tie finely poised at 1-1 on aggregate, with the return leg at the Emirates Stadium next week. The match at the Metropolitano was a tempestuous affair, punctuated by three penalty decisions, two of which were awarded and one dramatically rescinded. Arsenal took the lead through Viktor Gyokeres' first-half spot-kick, only for Julian Alvarez to level after the interval from a penalty given against Ben White for handball.

The penalty that wasn't: Arteta's fury

The most contentious moment came 12 minutes from time when referee Danny Makkiele pointed to the spot after David Hancko appeared to trip Eberechi Eze. However, after a lengthy VAR review by Dennis Higler, Makkiele was instructed to consult the pitchside monitor. He watched the incident 13 times before overturning his original decision. Arteta did not hide his anger. 'What I'm incredibly fuming with is how the penalty on Ebs gets overturned in the manner that it happened when it's not a clear and obvious error — this changes the course of the game,' he said. 'At this level, I'm sorry, but this cannot happen.' He added that the referee had to watch it 13 times, calling the process 'impossible'.

Simeone's counterpoint: Gyokeres 'just drops down'

Atletico manager Diego Simeone was equally unhappy, but with the penalty awarded to Arsenal. He suggested that Gyokeres had initiated contact. 'My humble opinion is that the player feels contact on his back and just drops down. This cannot be a penalty,' Simeone said. 'If it's a penalty, it has to truly be a penalty.' Simeone acknowledged that VAR had helped Atletico in the second instance, saying, 'Sometimes VAR gives you something, and sometimes it takes it away.' The Argentine's comments underscored the divisive nature of the officiating on a night when both managers felt aggrieved.

Arteta's pride despite the setback

Despite his frustration, Arteta expressed pride in his team's performance. 'I'm very proud,' he said. 'I said that to the boys, the way we handled the context for nine and a half months, just 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.' He acknowledged that the team had not got the result they wanted but emphasized that the tie remains in their hands. '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.'

What the result means for the second leg

Arsenal will return to north London as slight favorites, with home advantage and the possibility of a greater impact from players like Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Kai Havertz. The Gunners have not reached a Champions League final in 20 years, and the opportunity to do so now rests on the second leg at the Emirates. Arteta hinted that the overturned penalty could serve as fuel for his squad. 'When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position, that's another goal that changed completely in the course of the tie, and it cannot happen,' he said. 'We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.'

The bottom line

• Arsenal and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 in the Champions League semi-final first leg, with both penalties awarded for contentious decisions.
• Mikel Arteta was furious that VAR overturned a second Arsenal penalty after a 13-replay review, calling it a clear and obvious error that changed the tie.
• Diego Simeone argued that Viktor Gyokeres' penalty should not have been given, claiming the forward initiated contact.
• The second leg at the Emirates Stadium will determine who advances to the final, with Arsenal seeking their first final in 20 years.
• Arteta praised his team's resilience and said the tie remains in their hands, vowing to use the controversy as motivation.