Mikel Arteta was furious after Arsenal had a controversial penalty canceled due to a VAR check in their tumultuous 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
When Eberechi Eze went down following a challenge from David Hanko in the 78th minute, referee Danny McCarey flagged the spot for the third time in the match, but the call was sent to the monitor and changed as it was ruled there was insufficient contact.
Arteta described the decision as “completely unacceptable”, adding: “I went back to the dressing room and saw what happened with the penalty and I’m very disappointed and frustrated. It was against the rules and it changed the course of the draw. I’m very upset.”
Victor Gokeres had earlier put Arsenal ahead from the spot after being brought down by a fellow Atlético player.
Atletico hit back with a penalty from Julián Álvarez after Ben White was penalized for handball after another VAR check, sparking further controversy as the defender’s arm was deemed to be in an awkward position when struck by Marcos Llorente’s shot.
Arsenal, aiming to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history, took control in the first half but had to withstand Atletico’s onslaught at the start of the second half.
Victor Goqueres celebrates after scoring a goal for Arsenal against Atletico Madrid
The brilliant Alvarez took a free-kick that went just wide of the target, hitting Antoine Griezmann off the crossbar and then Ademola Lookman hitting goal-scorer David Raya from the center of the box.
Atlético then had to send off the excellent Alvarez, helping Arsenal regain control of the game, but Arsenal appeared to have been given a chance to take the lead when Eze grounded into the box following foot contact with Hanko.
The home fans roared their approval when the decision was overturned, much to the delight of Diego Simeone, but the Gunners kept up the pressure and substitute Cristian Mosquera stung the palm of Jan Oblak from the edge of the box.
Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring a penalty
The draw ensures the Gunners will return to London for next week’s second leg and face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final. However, a controversial penalty decision left Arteta and his players dissatisfied with their failure to win.
Arteta ‘incredibly furious’ after penalty miss
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said this at a press conference.
“What is so frustrating to me is why the penalty against Ebbs was overturned in this way when there was no obvious mistake.
“At this level this changes the flow of the game and I’m sorry but that can’t happen.
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The Athletic’s David Ornstein was baffled as to why Arsenal controversially had the second penalty canceled by VAR
“There is a very clear explanation: what will happen with the call and a certain period of time where the referee has to see it 13 times. I don’t think that’s possible and we’re all upset about that.”
“We need to apply the rules. They applied the rules to Ben’s penalty. It’s difficult to accept, but this is a penalty for handball and that’s what they said at the beginning of the season. Yes, this is a clear and obvious penalty.”
Arsenal’s Ben White was judged to have mishandled the player during the match against Atletico Madrid
“But we’ve been fighting hard for nine months to maintain this position and it’s another goal that completely changes the situation. And that can’t happen. It’s disappointing. We’ve put so much into it. This can’t happen.”
Analysis: Arsenal show determination despite suffering a blow
Arsenal’s decision to overturn the penalty will determine the outcome of this dramatic night at the Metropolitano Stadium. “That can’t happen,” Arteta fumed.
Although he felt his team was denied what should have been a famous victory, the draw was still a positive outcome. He was encouraged by his team’s ability to survive Atletico Madrid’s barrage after half-time.
They got lucky at times during that period. Griezmann was denied wide of the crossbar. Lookman fired a straight shot at Raya in what looked like an easy score. But Arsenal’s determination also deserves praise. “They are very competitive,” Diego Simeone said.
Arteta added: “I’m very proud.” “I said to the players that the way we have handled this situation for nine and a half months is amazing. I’ve seen some of the best teams in the world collapse here and concede three or four goals, so I really appreciate what they’ve done.”
“We didn’t get the result we wanted and the game was planned, but we wanted to win. At least it was in our hands and in front of our people. We want to get to that final and in a week’s time we will have that chance.”
Simeone: “Arsenal’s first penalty was a mistake”
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said this at a press conference.
“I never express my opinion on what my colleagues say.
“As for the first penalty, in my humble opinion, the player felt contact on his back and went down.
Atletico Madrid’s David Hanko fouls Arsenal’s Victor Goqueres
“In a Champions League semi-final, this shouldn’t have been a penalty, but the referee believed it was.
“The second one was not a penalty. Sometimes VAR has an advantage, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Arsenal’s unbeaten record
Arsenal equaled the longest unbeaten run in the European Cup or Champions League, going 13 games unbeaten for the first time since March 2005 to April 2006. Victor Gokeres has scored his 19th goal of the season for Arsenal. Only Erling Haaland (35) and Igor Thiago (24) have scored more goals for Premier League clubs across all competitions in 2025/26. Arsenal’s Declan Rice completed 83 passes against Atletico Madrid, the second most by an English midfielder in a Champions League semi-final after Michael Carrick, who made 99 against Schalke in April 2011.
What will happen to Arsenal?
Arsenal will turn their attention to the Premier League title race when they visit Fulham on Saturday, ahead of their return match at the Emirates next Tuesday. Kickoff 5:30pm.
Atlético are also playing in La Liga and will face Valencia on Saturday afternoon.
