While Mikel Arteta is ‘incredibly fuming’ over a VAR intervention, Diego Simeone remains philosophical. Yankee Scores dives into the penalty drama that has left the semifinal on a knife-edge.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was not comfortable with the decision to overrule a penalty after VAR intervention. He believed the decision “changed the course” of the game.

The Controversy

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal shared the spoils at Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of the 2025/2026 Uefa Champions League semifinal.

Gunners are disappointed that the center referee controversially overruled a penalty decision after Eberechi Eze went down following a challenge by David Hancko in the 78th minute. The referee concluded Eze made the most of Hancko’s tackle after VAR intervention.

Arteta Fumes

“What I’m incredibly fuming with is how the hell the penalty on Eze gets overturned in the manner that it happened when there is no clear and obvious error,” he said. “This changes the course of the game. And at this level, I’m sorry but this cannot happen.

“It was against the rules and I don’t understand it. There is clear contact. He makes the decision and you can’t overturn it when you have to watch it 13 times.

“When you have fought so hard for nine months to be in this position. I mean, that’s another goal that changed completely over the course of the tie. And it cannot happen. I’m sorry. We put so much on it. So, so, so much on it. This cannot happen.”

Simeone Defends VAR

Gyökeres went down from Hancko’s clumsy challenge while Ben White’s handball was adjudged as penalty. Though the ball deflected onto his arm.

“For the first penalty, in my humble opinion, it’s from the back, the player waits for the contact, it seems to me that in the Champions League semifinals it really needs to be a penalty,” Simeone said.

“And then the handball, it was given thanks to the VAR, and the second penalty wasn’t, thanks to the VAR. Sometimes VAR gives and sometimes it takes away.”

The Road to the Emirates

Arsenal are the favorites as they host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates next Tuesday.