The decisions, penalties and controversies that defined Arsenal’s draw with Atletico

Arsenal are one game away from securing a place in the Champions League final and will head to the Emirates Stadium on level terms with Atletico Madrid after a fascinating 1-1 draw at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. The tight contest was defined by set pieces as Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring in the first half having won a penalty before Julian Alvarez equalised after the break from the very same penalty spot. Yet there were a series of decision and possible controveries that defined the encounter with referee Danny Makkelie called into action on an evening that will be remembered more for the intervention of VAR than the football played.

So, let’s break down the decisions and incidents that characterised the first leg of this Champions League semi-final: 41st minute - Viktor Gyokeres wins penalty Arsenal had started the match in confident fashion despite David Raya being tasked with stopping a sharp effort from Julian Alvarez. At the other end of the pitch Martin Zubimendi slipped a threaded pass into the box to Viktor Gyokeres who leaned away from David Hancko and went to ground after contact from the central defender. Makkelie blew the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot as the protestations begin from the Atletico Madrid players and supporters.

VAR checked the incident but decided to stick with the on-field decision and Gyokeres drove the resultant spot kick into the bottom left corner. Viktor Gyokeres was fouled by David Hancko for the first penalty decision (Getty) 55th minute - Ben White’s handball In pursuit of an equaliser, Atletico stepped up a gear at the start of the second half and pushed higher up the pitch. Marcos Llorente received the ball just outside the Arsenal box and took a shot which wasn’t heading on target.

Arsenal defender Ben White blocks the effort and immediately comes the cries from the Atletico players who are convinced he handled the ball. The referee initially waves away the appeals but VAR intervenes and calls Makkelie to the pitchside monitor. White’s left hand is away from his body and the ball clearly strikes it.