Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Arsenal had a penalty controversially overturned following a VAR check in a pulsating 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot for the third time in the game when Eberechi Eze went down following a challenge by David Hancko in the 78th minute, but changed his decision after being sent to the monitor and deeming the contact insufficient.
Arteta described the decision as “completely unacceptable”, adding: “After going back to the dressing room and watching the penalty incident, I’m extremely disappointed and annoyed. It was against the rules and changes the course of the tie. I’m very upset.”
Viktor Gyokeres had earlier blasted Arsenal in front from the spot, having been pushed over by the same Atletico player.
Atletico responded through Julian Alvarez’s penalty after more controversy as Ben White was penalised for handball following another VAR check, with the defender’s arm deemed to have been in an unnatural position when struck by Marcos Llorente’s shot.
Arsenal, aiming to reach the Champions League final for only the second time in their history, controlled the first half but had to withstand an Atletico onslaught at the start of the second.
The excellent Alvarez sent a free-kick just wide, Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar and Ademola Lookman shot straight at David Raya when he should have scored from the centre of the box.
Atletico then had to withdraw the excellent Alvarez, helping Arsenal regain control of the game, and they appeared to have been handed the chance to go in front when Eze went to ground inside the box following foot-to-toot contact from Hancko.
The home fans roared their approval when the decision was overturned and Diego Simeone celebrated wildly but the Gunners continued to apply pressure as substitute Cristhian Mosquera stung the palms of Jan Oblak from the edge of the box.
The draw ensures a positive result for the Gunners to take back to London for next week’s second leg as they vie to face Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final. But the controversial penalty call left Arteta and his players aggrieved.
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