Mikel Arteta 'very upset' as Arsenal penalty against Atletico Madrid overturned after VAR check - 'Against the rules'

React to this story

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left "upset" and "annoyed" by the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to his side against Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Champions League tie.

'Very upset' Arteta hits out at 'unacceptable' penalty decision

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a match hugely affected by three penalty decisions, two of them causing controversy.

Arsenal played with discipline in the first half and made a breakthrough when Viktor Gyokeres scored from the spot on 44 minutes.

That penalty came when the Swedish forward was bundled over in the area by Atleti defender David Hancko, and was the least disputed of the three decisions.

Transfers

Arsenal push to secure Guimaraes and Vinicius deals - Paper Round

8 hours ago

Ten minutes after the start of the second half, the home side had a penalty of their own.

A Marcos Llorente volley from the edge of the box hit Arsenal defender Ben White on the arm, with the ball appearing to make contact as it bounced up after it hit him on the leg.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone and his players all appealed heartily for the decision, which ultimately went their way on a VAR review.

Arsenal might have had a second penalty, and potentially a crucial one, with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Watch the Simeone antics that were called out for being 'atrocious'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hancko was again the man penalised, this time for fouling Eberechi Eze.

However, some fervent appeals from the Atleti players and Simeone were followed by a review, which saw the match referee overturn his decision, leaving TNT Sports analysts Ally McCoist and Steven Gerrard a little perplexed.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta made his displeasure known over the overturned penalty.

He said: "Speaking to the boys and understanding the penalty incident for the second goal getting overturned, it was against the rules and I don't understand it.

"Very upset. There is clear contact; he makes the decision and you can't overturn it when you have to watch it 13 times."

Arteta was asked if the referee had been influenced by the reactions to the third penalty being awarded, and he replied: "I don't know.

Highlights: Night of drama in Madrid as Arsenal claim draw with Atleti

Video credit: TNT Sports

"That's an answer for him. It's the wrong decision and it changes the course of the tie."

The Arsenal boss agreed that the penalty for Atletico against White was a fair decision, and did not dispute the validity of that decision from the referee.

”It is a rule, and they have been quite consistent with that,” he answered. ”I have nothing to say on that. The one I have to say is the penalty.”

Despite his evident disappointment, Arteta remained positive and hoped that his side’s good home record would put them in a healthy position for the return leg next Tuesday.

He added: "There are a lot of positives. A lot of very good things that we did. We knew we would have tough moments. Their home record is once again.

"We are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands."

'It's a clear penalty'

Midfielder Declan Rice was just as puzzled as Arteta by the decision to overturn a late penalty shout, accusing UEFA officials of refereeing to different standards compared to the Premier League.

"UEFA (Champions League) is totally different, I think. In both boxes you have to be so careful because they give absolutely everything," Rice stated.

"The second one, Ebs’ one, it’s a clear penalty. I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref’s mind.

"But it doesn’t matter, we move on to next week, and we want to beat them at home."

And on the VAR decision to give Atletico a second-half penalty, Rice added: "I’ve not seen it back yet. At first glance, I thought that maybe if it’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. But then UEFA (matches) are totally different rules… hands away from the body. I think with UEFA they give it but Premier League, I’m not so sure."

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Watch and stream PSG v Bayern next Wednesday live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Transfers