Mikel Arteta Fumes Over 'Unacceptable' Decision After Arsenal Share Spoils With Atletico

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left incensed by a controversial VAR decision that denied his team a late penalty in their 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The Gunners appeared to have a golden opportunity to take a lead back to London when referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty with just ten minutes remaining.

Eberechi Eze was brought down inside the area by Atlético defender Dávid Hancko, prompting the initial decision. However, after a review at the pitchside monitor recommended by the VAR, Makkelie overturned his call, leaving Arteta furious.

Speaking after the match, the Arsenal boss questioned the intervention, arguing that there was no clear and obvious error to justify reversing the on-field decision.

"What I am incredibly fuming with is how the penalty on Ebs [Eze] gets overturned in the manner that it happened, when it’s not a clear and obvious error," Arteta stated. "And this changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen."

Earlier in the match, Arsenal had fallen behind after conceding a penalty for a handball against defender Ben White. The ball struck White's raised arm, blocking what seemed to be a shot on target. Julián Álvarez stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give the home side the lead.

Arteta acknowledged the difference in interpretation between domestic and European competitions regarding such incidents.

"In the Premier League it is not a penalty. In the Champions League, it is a penalty," he explained. "They made it very clear from day one, they have been consistent. I understand that today it is a penalty."

Despite the controversy, Arsenal will feel confident ahead of the second leg at home as they aim to reach their first Champions League final since the 2005/06 season. The result adds another layer of pressure to a critical period for the club, with their Premier League title aspirations also on the line. Arteta, however, embraced the challenge of fighting for two major trophies with his injury-hit squad.

"We can only recover, eat, sleep and give the boys a lot of love," he said. "What we’ve been through is incredible and the opportunity is to win the Premier League and the Champions League at the end of it. There’s nothing like it."