Arsenal were furious after being on the wrong end of two contentious VAR calls
08:06, 01 May 2026Updated 08:07, 01 May 2026
Declan Rice
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Declan Rice didn't hold back during or after the game(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Another flashpoint from Arsenal's first leg against Atletico Madrid has emerged after Declan Rice and Gabriel were spotted rowing with a home player.
Two VAR interventions worked against the Gunners after Ben White was adjudged to have handled Marcos Llorente's volley, which Julian Alvarez converted from the spot to cancel out Viktor Gyokeres' opener, also a penalty. Arsenal then saw referee Danny Makkelie overturn his own decision to award the visitors a late penalty when Eberechi Eze was upended in the area.
Against the backdrop of 70,000 whistling Atleti fans, Makkelie watched the incident 13 times before reversing his on-pitch verdict. Footage of the players waiting for the decision has been shared on social media. It shows Rice and Gabriel in a heated debate with Atletico substitute goalkeeper Juan Musso.
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Rice felt the Dutch official caved in to pressure from the baying home fans. He said: "It's a clear penalty. And I don't know how that's not been given.
"I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref's mind. UEFA is totally different [to the Premier League]. In both boxes, you have to be so careful because they give absolutely everything.
He continued: "At first glance, I thought if that's in the Premier League it doesn't get given because it's so low to the ground. The ball's not going on target.
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"In the Champions League, referees are really quick to make decisions, and to blow their whistle, and you can't do much about it. I feel like they penalise you more in European competitions."
Mikel Arteta was also seething, saying: "What I'm incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Eze gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error?
"And this changes the course of the game. And at this level, I'm sorry but this cannot happen. When a referee has to watch it 13 times, what is clear about that? It’s impossible and we are all fuming about it. We need to apply the rules."
Referee Danny Makkelie looks at VAR
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Danny Makkelie took his time before deciding to overturn the penalty he had awarded to Arsenal(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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There was another bust-up after the match, which saw White involved in a tunnel altercation with Diego Simeone after appearing upset home players by walking over the club badge on the side of the pitch at the Metropolitano Stadium. White was confronted by Giuliano Simeone, the manager's son, who pointed to the large crest White had stepped on as he went down the tunnel.
Footage shared by Marca shows the pair exchanging words before Diego Simeone pulls Giuliano back. White then reacted to the Atletico boss as they went down the tunnel, with members of staff from both teams intervening.
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