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Arsenal Daily: Arteta fuming at Eze penalty decision
Chris Howard
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaIt feels almost impossible to look at this game through any other lens other than the one that focuses on the two big penalty calls that went against Arsenal last night.
And yes, despite Diego Simeone's comments about Viktor Gyokeres' penalty, that first one was clearly a penalty for Arsenal, so we can accept that and move on. The one that Ben White conceded, however, was super harsh.
Even if the ball hadn't hit his leg first, the grounds for a penalty would be slimmer in England, so the fact that it was given with the touch that bounced up on his arm is, frankly, ludicrous. Are we to tell players to somehow now learn not to make human reactions by putting your arms down if you are falling to the ground?
This is where I am really pleased Mikel Arteta landed where he did with his scathing comments on one penalty incident, but acknowledgement of the situation with the other.
He just (pun intended) "held his hands up" on the fact those penalties are given, but was not so cool with the Eberechi Eze non-penalty. And that's understandable. Because it was a penalty. Clear as day.
Arsenal and Eze were robbed of a slender lead to take back to the Emirates because a referee was swayed by a home team manager who leveraged the fervent atmosphere to its fullest. And unfortunately, the referee did not stay strong in that moment.
But Arsenal can take comfort in the fact that the return leg is now a one-off game. No away goals. Home advantage. And confidence that they can trouble a decent Atletico Madrid side. I guess we have to take it. I know I certainly will.
Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external
Image source, Getty ImagesWhy don't Arsenal play to Viktor Gyokeres' strengths?
The Sweden international started for the Gunners as their number nine against Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Gyokeres won and scored a spot-kick - his 19th goal in all competitions this season - but former Premier League striker Chris Sutton wishes Mikel Arteta's side would utilise him more.
"He's a big, physical striker, yet when they have the ball in wide areas they neglect to cross the ball in," said Sutton on the BBC Radio 5 Live's UCL Debrief. "I don't quite understand that because why have his type of centre-forward and not try to play to his strengths?
"He's not the cleverest player, but he is a grafter and he is a channel runner."
Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting in the summer as Europe's most prolific goalscorer, with a phenomenal 54 goals in 52 games in all competitions last campaign.
His success as Sporting's lone striker was because they played to his qualities of quick darting movements towards the ball, rolling the defender and running in behind from wide starting positions - movements to which Arsenal have not adapted.
"They're not helping themselves when they have opportunities - particularly on the left-hand-side - to put the ball in, they don't," added Sutton. "At one point they ended up all the way back at David Raya.
"They need to give him a chance because this is not a free-scoring Arsenal team.
"People have questioned him because he's the Arsenal guy that's meant to make a difference and he has done all right this season.
"But if you want to score a goal you have to get chances.
"He's a good finisher, so it doesn't help when you have the ball in a good crossing area and people aren't prepared to take a chance and put the ball in.
"I understand principles of play, but you can score from crosses - it is allowed!"
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal fan Trevor Hills says he is "absolutely fuming" at the decision to overturn a late penalty given for a challenge on Eberechi Eze but is "very happy" with the result and performance in the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
The Gunners emerged with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid after each side scored a penalty, but were denied the chance to take a lead back to the Emirates after the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor to review David Hancko's challenge on Eze.
"I'm absolutely fuming about that decision but it's not a bad result at the end of the day," Hills told BBC Radio 5 Live's Breakfast. "We will take it.
"From where we were in the stadium it looked a penalty and we could also see some serious pressure being put on the officials to review that. It took an age.
"If you said to us before the game we'd get a draw in an away semi-final first leg we'd have taken it all day long, but I actually left the ground thinking we could have pushed on and won it. To have that feeling after the game - I'm very happy indeed.
"There is added pressure to this tie because neither of the teams involved have won the Champions League before. It's massive for both. There's so much to play for.
"They haven't got to come and score a goal now at the Emirates but it's still all to play for. Fingers crossed we're at our best and we should put the tie to bed."
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Vince: Great performance, great effort, and we should have won this game. Sure, Atletico were excellent for maybe 20 minutes in the second half, but we've got in David Raya one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a defence that must be spoken in the same breath. Ebere Eze's turn of pace was unplayable and that penalty should have been given without a doubt. More of the same and we'll surely be in the final. Anything else would be a travesty.
Iain: Forget the penalties, we showed tonight that we can completely dominate this team. Sure, they had spells buoyed by the home support, but I've got nothing to fear for the return leg.
Sam: Getting a draw at one of the toughest places to go in Europe is not a bad result at all, and I felt we could have won that if it wasn't for some refereeing incompetence once again. The handball one is a 50-50 for me, but if the one in the PSG game was given, then by consistency, they give this one too. But to not give the foul on Eze as a penalty is inexcusable! How on earth have they looked at that again and decided it's not a penalty? It's stonewall! Despite that, it is a very respectable result and puts us in a great position for the second leg and hopefully a spot in the final!
George: Fairly good performance from us, but the same couldn't be said for the referee. Usual standards of refereeing in the Champions League. Diego Simeone should've had a yellow card for his touchline behaviour. Had the refereeing been better, we could've won this match.
Matthew: A tough, tense game as expected. Arsenal showed control in spells, but lacked that cutting-edge in the final third. You could see the intention, but not enough clinical finishing. Credit to Atletico Madrid - very disciplined, compact, and hard to break down. That's classic Atletico. Frustrate, stay organised, and punish mistakes. Overall, not a bad result, but also not one that fully satisfies. It keeps things alive, but Arsenal must be sharper next time.
Nigel: It's sad to say it, but Mikel Arteta is hindering a quality squad with his negativity and refusal to find a new gameplan. 4-3-3 week in and week out. Bizarre subs. No tactical changes from one game to the next. It's just clueless and smacks of someone who has run out of ideas. Not acceptable, times up. Really sad to say that.
Image source, PA MediaArsenal's Ben White will feel hard done by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie's decision to award a penalty in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid after Marcos Llorente's shot hit White's leg and then touched his hand, which prompted penalty claims from Atletico's players.
Initially, Makkelie did not award the penalty, but after communicating with VAR officials he was sent to the pitchside monitor, which ultimately led to him awarding a penalty.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said referee Makkelie was "influenced" by the similar choice to award PSG a penalty against Bayern Munich.
He told TNT Sports: "I think the referees have been influenced by the decision that happened [in Paris].
"They have seen the handball committed by Alphonso Davies that led to a penalty and thought we need to follow suit and give this one from Ben White - even if he tries to move his arm out of the way."
Match of the Day pundit and ex-Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock doesn't believe Atletico's penalty for handball would have been awarded in an English domestic game.
"I just don't think it gets given in the Premier League," Warnock said.
"His arm is already in that position and I know people might say it is an unnatural position but he's trying to block a shot and then it hits his leg and comes up and hits his arm.
"It's just a bizarre decision but I wouldn't say we are shocked at seeing it given in the Champions League."
Barcelona are continuing to push for a deal to sign Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez, but Arsenal and Paris St-Germain are refusing to give up on bringing in the former Manchester City forward. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Alex Howell
Football reporter
Arsenal had to fight hard at the Estadio Metropolitano but were solid defensively - and although they lacked a consistent attacking threat, they were unlucky to leave Madrid without a win.
Viktor Gyokeres had one of his better nights in an Arsenal shirt. He may look awkward at times leading the line, but his confident penalty gave the Gunners a platform in the match.
One of the forward's best attributes is his ball striking and he never looked like he was going to miss from the spot when given the chance.
Manager Mikel Arteta has made a big point this season of saying how his 'finishers' - his substitutes - will make the difference in key moments.
That was nearly proved right again as substitute Eberechi Eze sought to make an impact - but he was denied a penalty after going down following contact from David Hancko.
David Raya needed to make some key saves to stop Arsenal from going behind and Atletico did hit the crossbar.
Arsenal will also feel that the penalty given against them was harsh, considering the ball hit Ben White's leg before striking the defender's hand.
But the Gunners can take confidence from the fact that they will kick off on level terms with home advantage next week.
"Arsenal have been absolutely robbed this evening," says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.
The Gunners and Atletico Madrid scored a penalty each in an incident-packed first-leg draw that leaves their Champions League semi-final in the balance.
The big talking point was the final penalty incident. Referee Danny Makkelie initially pointed to the spot when David Hancko caught Eberechi Eze. Then the video assistant referee (VAR) sent Makkelie to the monitor. And then the decision was overturned.
"You can talk about Arsenal's display and what they lacked," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live. "But Arsenal would be in an unbelievable position going into the tie at the Emirates next week [if the penalty had stood] and now they have a lot of work to do.
"I think that's unfair on them, I really really do. They feel hard done by and they have been hard done by.
"People can talk about the Arsenal performance. Were they good enough in the final third? Probably not. I thought Atletico Madrid were excellent in the second half and deserved something from the game.
"Having said all that, there were two shocking decisions which went against Arsenal.
"I didn't think it was a handball by Ben White because the ball deflected off his shin first, and his arm is out a little bit but the fact is, it came off his shin first.
"And [David] Hancko, clumsy as you like, steps on part of [Eberechi] Eze's foot and they don't really protest - I always think that's the biggest tell from players. They did for the [Viktor] Gyokeres penalty really vehemently, got in the referee's face.
"When you see the referee go to the monitor, you know what's going to happen, but I would have liked to see the referee be stronger in that moment.
"He gave it in real time and from everything I see from the monitor, there was contact on Eze's foot. The penalty should have been awarded, and Arsenal should be going back to the Emirates in a much stronger position."
Arteta 'incredibly fuming' over disallowed Eze penalty
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "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."
Was the referee influenced? "I don't know. That's an answer for him. It's the wrong decisions, and it changes the course of the tie."
On Atletico's penalty: "It is a rule and they have been quite consistent with that. I have nothing to say on that. The one I have to say is the penalty.
"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."
On how he makes sure his players recover for Fulham on Saturday: "Make sure they eat, sleep and get a lot of love to make sure they are in the best position."
Did you know?
Viktor Gyokeres scored his 19th goal of the season for Arsenal; only Erling Haaland (35) and Igor Thiago (24) have netted more for a Premier League club across all competitions in 2025-26.
Arsenal equalled their longest ever unbeaten run in the European Cup/ Champions League - going 13 consecutive games without defeat for the second time – previously between March 2005 and April 2006 (13).
Arsenal have only won two of their last eight matches across all competitions (drawn two, lost four).
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies
Julian Alvarez returns to the starting XI for Diego Simeone's side. The forward was on the bench on the weekend for Atletico having recovered from a thigh problem which kept him out of the previous three games.
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman, Griezmann, Alvarez
Subs: Musso, Esquivel, Mendoza, Sorloth, Alex Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Le Normand, Bonar, Julio Diaz
Mikel Arteta has made two changes to his Arsenal side that played at the weekend. Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli come in for Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon
This evening you can follow the Champions League semi-final and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Atletico Madrid v Arsenal (20:00 BST) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Atletico Madrid v Arsenal"
Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds
There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.
Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal's 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid back in October would suggest this is a favourable semi-final tie for the Gunners - but you would expect them to face a sterner test this time around.
While Diego Simeone's side have kept just one clean sheet in their past nine matches, conceding exactly two goals in the other eight games, they have demonstrated a real cutting edge going forward. They have scored 34 goals in the Champions League – smashing their previous season record of 26 - and their six knockout fixtures in the competition have produced a total of 28 goals (17 scored, 11 conceded).
In contrast, Arsenal's corresponding four matches have produced just five goals. The Gunners' attack has misfired in the past month, so a low-scoring, attritional affair might actually suit them.
Did you know?
Atletico have won only two of their past 12 matches against Premier League teams (D2, L8) but have never lost at home to an English team in the knockout stage of the Champions League (W3, D3).
The Spanish club have progressed from six of their past seven European semi-finals, most recently against Arsenal in the 2017-18 Europa League, and 15 of their previous 21 two-legged European ties.
Atletico Madrid player to watch - Julian Alvarez
Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez returned to Atletico's matchday squad last weekend, as he came back from a muscle issue that he picked up on 18 April when his side lost to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final.
Alvarez has a club record nine Champions League goals this season and has repeatedly been linked with a summer move to Barcelona. The 26-year-old has applied 853 high-intensity pressures, the most of any player in the Champions League this campaign, and also leads the way in terms of most high-intensity pressures per 90 minutes (70).
Who else?
France forward Antoine Griezmann has only managed to find the net twice in the Champions League this season, but since joining the club in 2021, has been directly involved in 24.2% of Atletico's goals in the competition. It is the highest percentage by any player for a team with at least 100 goals in the tournament's history, just ahead of Lionel Messi for Barcelona (24.1%).
At the other end of the pitch, long-serving goalkeeper Jan Oblak has recently returned to action after a month out on the sidelines. The 33-year-old has started each of the previous two matches.
Scarlet Katz Roberts
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen I compare the heady mania that followed Gabriel Martinelli's clincher at the Bernabeu last season to the slightly stiff 'see you at the Etihad' the fans gave the team after an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Sporting, it's hard to believe both nights achieved the same thing.
By the time Real Madrid rolled up to the Emirates, the title was gone.
When PSG followed in late April sunshine for our first Champions League semi final since 2009, the pre-game atmosphere was carnival-like — towers of pre-game beer snakes wobbling through the concourse. The fun came to an end when Ousmane Dembele shanked PSG in front within five minutes, but the dream was there.
After an uneventful bout between PSG and Bayern on Tuesday night on the glamorous side of the draw, Arsenal head to Madrid, (where I hear it is due to rain) three points clear at the top of the Premier League and still on for an unprecedented double. But you wouldn't know it.
This weather-beaten, marathon title challenge has blocked out the light. It's the only thing we can see. I think that could help Arsenal. The Champions League has seen some of our more free-flowing performances this season with a convincing 4-0 victory against tonight's opposition among the highlights.
Both the fans and players seem more relaxed in a competition that doesn't see bottles whipped out in the stands, or Gary Neville on commentary. The equation feels positive: win and you keep your options open, lose and it was all about the league along.
This might not be a vintage Simeone Altetico side, but it's going to be a battle in the Metropolitano, one that Arsenal can enjoy paradoxically under less scrutiny than their usual Premier League low block, man-marking psychodramas.
So my message to my team might seem overly simple when I say enjoy it. We only had four minutes of fun before PSG made us second favourites last season. A potential Champions League final awaits, isn't that cool.
Find more from Scarlet Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast, external
Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Arsenal Supporter's Trust (AST) has said it is "disappointed" that the Gunners' final home game of the season against Burnley has been moved.
Arsenal were originally scheduled to take on the Clarets on Sunday 17 May but this has now been moved back a day to Monday 18 May with the game selected for TV coverage.
The home game is the last chance that supporters will have to see their side play in the Premier League at home and if results fall in Arsenal's favour, it could prove the fixture where they win the league.
The AST went on to say in their statement that the time of the game "creates clear difficulties for both sets of supporters", with the late finish making it tough for fans to plan their journeys home using public transport.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said he is "not surprised" that supporters are not happy with the change and that the team also will have to adapt to the situation.
He explained: "It's the last home game of the season - you want to play at the weekend, and I think the time and the date were set, and now it's been changed. So it's not ideal, especially for our supporters.
"But the TV has the right to do so. So they've done it.
"But unfortunately, we're going to have to adapt to that as well. And play our game. And try to have everybody in that stadium in the same manner, with the same energy. Because obviously, we know what is at stake."
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta was in Istanbul on Sunday to watch Galatasaray amid speculation the Gunners want their 27-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. (AS - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesMartin Odegaard has said that he and the rest of the Arsenal players are trying to embrace the challenge of winning the Champions League for the first time in the Gunners history.
The Arsenal captain has had a broken season because of injuries but has spoken about how he and his team-mates can use that pressure for good.
Odegaard was in a good mood in his news conference on Tuesday and set a positive tone when speaking to the media before Arsenal's Champions League semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.
"How can you not enjoy it?" Odegaard said. "We are playing in probably the toughest and most competitive league in the world and at the top fighting for the title and in the semi of the Champions League.
"For me, it's hard for me to understand how you can not enjoy that. That's what we have been dreaming about our whole life, me since I was a kid.
"The energy in the group is amazing."
Odegaard also spoke about how the noise the of Arsenal not lifting silverware is "always going to be there until we win it and that is something you have to live with" which matched his positive outlook at the news conference.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also looked to highlight the club's achievement in reaching back-to-back Champions League semi-finals.
However, there was a strange moment from the Gunners boss as he seemed to confirm that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was back in the squad after injury before clarifying that he was not available.
Arteta is known for trying to make the most of marginal gains and this seemed to be his latest way of putting some doubt on to his team selection.
Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Arteta confirmed that Eberechi Eze is available after going off injured against Newcastle at the weekend. Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka are also fit, but Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber are out.
On the opportunity that lies ahead for his side, Arteta said this is where the club wants to be and they have "earned it through incredible work, passion and quality" and "now is the moment to make a statement and show how good we are".
On what he expects from Atletico: "A really tough match. They have so much experience in the competition that they have every right to be here. We know the difficulty of the match but I think we have shown in Europe, in any ground, what we are capable of and very consistent and tomorrow we have to play with that confidence, that desire, to come here to win the game."
Arteta was asked about being in the same situation as last season, when the Gunners are facing a side in the semi-final that they had previously beaten in the league phase: "We learn things from that game but tomorrow is going to be a completely different one, especially playing here. We know what they've done and what they are capable of, and because we have some experience now in these kinds of games, we know exactly what we have to do."
On playing at a ground where there has been talk of it being a tricky surface to play on: "We are up to any context and, for the past nine months, imagine the amount of games that we have played with different scenarios, different contexts, different opponents, so we'll adapt to the conditions tomorrow in the best possible way to be ourselves and win the game."
He also touched on whether he feels Arsenal now feel they belong on these stages: "I don't take it for granted because a very short time ago this club had seven years without Champions League. In that very short period of time what we have achieved is remarkable and we know the difficulty of it and how much we work for this. Enjoy it, take the opportunity and embrace it - because it is very tough to be here."
On how important taking a win back to the Emirates would be: "That's what we want to do. We have prepared the game to win it. There is no question about that."
On Atletico boss Diego Simeone saying Arsenal are interested in his striker Julian Alvarez: "You know that I don't talk about any player that is not our player."
Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal captain Martin Odegaard has said "everyone is excited" as the Gunners prepare to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta's side were knocked out in the last four last season by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.
"We're in the best part of the season," Odegaard said.
"It's another great opportunity to do something special. We take lessons from the past and we're looking forward to it.
"How can you not enjoy it? We're fighting for the title in the Premier League and we're in the semi-final of the Champions League. It's what we've always dreamed about."
Asked about the recent near misses in competitions as Arsenal search for a first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, Odegaard said: "It's always gong to be there until we win it. It's just something you have to live with, we need to take lessons and experiences to help us. It's part of football and the journey.
"We want to win every game and trophy. Our focus is about winning tomorrow and we look to the next game after that. For us, it doesn't really matter - it's all about tomorrow."
Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was around the 33rd minute during Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday that I first started noticing Kai Havertz exhibiting signs that he was in pain.
Subsequently during a short break in play, he was vehemently signalling to the bench for attention, pointing to his groin, and making the dreaded 'I need to come off' signal.
I sit above the tunnel at the Emirates, and so the sight of the German trudging straight into the changing room felt significant, and not in a good way.
It has become clear to me that the optimism experienced by some of the fan base since the loss at Manchester City has been fuelled by finally having our preferred starting XI on the pitch. With the combination of Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz, Arsenal showed us what we have been missing for months, and how different our football can feel.
But what the football gods giveth, the football gods taketh away. After 34 minutes on Saturday, that was the end of that.
Part of the reason it felt so gut-wrenching was that up until then Arsenal had been excellent. Either side of Eze's sublime finish, we looked fired-up and ready to sweep Newcastle aside.
It's hard to overestimate how different Arsenal looked for the remainder of the game. Much of the criticism has been directed towards Viktor Gyokeres, and specifically his failure to square the ball to Bukayo Saka as Arsenal pushed for a second.
When the dust settles on this season, questions will need to be answered about how there can be such a drop-off in standards when every member of the preferred starting XI isn't available.
Title races are won by pushing the ceiling higher, but only if the floor rises with it. And it could be the latter that is our undoing.
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
