Arsenal grabbed a creditable [1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid](https://arseblog.news/2026/04/report-atletico-1-1-arsenal-inc-goals/) that leaves them well-placed to reach the Champions League final, but Mikel Arteta was left incensed by a controversial decision to deny his side a second penalty late on at the Metropolitano.
Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez had already traded spotkicks when substitute Eberechi Eze went down in the box, clipped by David Hancko. Dutch referee Danny Makkelie wasted no time pointing to the spot, but after an intervention by VAR, he went to the pitchside screen, watched the incident 13 times, and changed his mind, seemingly under intense pressure from the home bench and fans.
Arsenal had dominated the first half and were worthy of their lead, but the hosts came out fighting after the break, even if they were fortunate to benefit from a harsh decision against Ben White, who accidentally handled.
The Gunners then had to weather substantial pressure, during which Antoine Griezmann struck the post, and Ademola Lookman forced David Raya into action, but they finished strongly with Cristhian Mosquera, just off the bench, stinging the palms of Jan Oblak.
While a draw is a respectable result for Mikel Arteta’s side, particularly given the raucous atmosphere, there’s no doubt the manager felt his side should have returned to London with more from the game.
Speaking to _TNT Sports_, Arteta reflected: “After going back in the dressing room and speaking to the boys and understanding and watching the penalty incident for the second goal getting overturned, I’m extremely disappointed and annoyed because it was against the rules, and I don’t understand it. It changes the course of the tie. So, I’m very, very upset.”
Asked if he had spoken to the officials, Arteta said he had not sought an explanation because the incident spoke for itself.
“The whole sequence tells the story. It’s clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. At this level, it’s completely unacceptable.”
From the outside, it certainly appeared the fervent home crowd, conducted throughout by Diego Simeone, had influenced the referee in the heat of the moment. Arteta would not be drawn on that, instead reiterating that it was simply the wrong call.
“I don’t know. That’s an answer for him, but obviously it’s a wrong decision, and it changes the course of the tie.”
As for the performance as a whole, Arteta said: “We had a lot of positives, a lot of very good things that we did. We went through very positive moments. We knew we were going to have tough moments.
This team, the history and the record that they have at home is incredible. We knew we were going to have to navigate through that, but we should have got more.
“\[It’s\] Halfway, we are in an incredible position – semi-final of the Champions League, we have to play in front of our people, it’s in our hands, and that’s it. And now recover for Fulham.”
When the dust settles, Arteta will likely be pleased with his side’s work this evening. They weren’t at their fluid best, this version of Arsenal rarely are, but for long periods in the game, they looked comfortable and will fancy their chances of turning the screw back at the Emirates.