Mikel Arteta expressed fury at referee Danny Makkelie following Arsenal’s 1-1 stalemate with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, claiming a crucial penalty decision was unjustly overturned. The Gunners boss argued that the error fundamentally altered the tie.
After Julian Alvarez leveled the score by canceling out Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty, Arsenal substitute Eberechi Eze appeared to be fouled inside the area. Makkelie initially pointed to the spot, but after a VAR review, he reversed his call—a move that left Arteta incensed.
“I went back to the dressing room, reviewed the footage with the players, and I’m deeply frustrated and angry because the decision contradicts the rules,” Arteta said post-match. “It completely shifts the outcome of this matchup. I’m extremely upset.”
The Spanish tactician emphasized that the referee’s choice to rescind the penalty was unacceptable at this level. “There was definite contact. You make the call, then you can’t change it after reviewing it a dozen times. That’s not allowed in elite competition. It’s a wrong decision that alters the course of the tie, and that simply cannot happen.”