Mikel Arteta has criticized the officials after they overturned a penalty decision involving Eberechi Eze during Arsenal’s draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
The UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano ended in a 1-1 draw for both sides, leaving the tie in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg.
However, Arsenal can argue that they could have snatched a late win when they were initially awarded a penalty kick by the referee, before the decision was overturned after a VAR check on the monitor.
The controversial moment occurred in the 78th minute when they were contact between David Hancko, who had conceded an earlier penalty, on Eberechi Eze.
The referee initially pointed to the spot, but changed his mind after a review on the monitor, much to the fury of Arsenal and their supporters.
Speaking after the match, Arteta called the decision to overturn the penalty as ‘unacceptable’ as his side now prepare for the second leg clash.
“After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it’s extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie”, Arteta said.
“I’m very, very upset. The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It’s completely unacceptable at this level.
“It’s the wrong decision. I leave that to the club to decide what’s the best thing to do. Now they’re not going to give us a penalty. That’s it. That’s gone.”
Julian Alvarez’s second half penalty cancelled out a first half spot-kick by Victor Gyokeres as the game ended 1-1, leaving next week’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium as the decider.
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