Arsenal-Atletico draw after controversial penalty overturn
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in Champions League Wednesday despite furious protests from Mikel Arteta over a controversial penalty decision. Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal an early lead from the spot before Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico.
The match turned controversial when referee Danny Makkelie initially awarded Arsenal a penalty after substitute Eberechi Eze went down in the area. However, after VAR review, Makkelie overruled his decision, denying Arsenal what Arteta called "clear contact".
According to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "I'm very, very upset. It's completely unacceptable at this level. That decision changes the course of the tie. You cannot overturn when you have to look at it 13 times."
The result leaves Arsenal with significant work to do in the second leg to advance to the next round of the Champions League.