Mikel Arteta slammed the decision to overturn a late Arsenal penalty as “completely unacceptable” following a 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid that was dominated by officiating controversy.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta condemned the officiating as “completely unacceptable” after a controversial VAR reversal saw his side denied a late penalty in their 1-1 Champions League semi-final draw against Atletico Madrid. Following goals from Viktor Gyökeres and Julian Alvarez both from the penalty spot the Gunners appeared set for a third spot-kick when Eberechi Eze was challenged by David Hancko, but referee Danny Makkelie overturned the call after a lengthy monitor review.
Arteta expressed his fury to TNT Sports, stating he was “extremely disappointed and annoyed because it was against the rules,” and argued that since the contact was clear, the official “cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times.” While the manager begrudgingly accepted a handball penalty against Ben White due to UEFA’s specific interpretations, he remained “incredibly fuming” over the Eze incident, concluding, “When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position, that’s a goal that completely changes the course of the tie. It cannot happen, I’m sorry.”