If you had offered Mikel Arteta a 1-1 draw in the first leg of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid, he might have just taken it before kickoff, but the Gunners boss will probably come away thinking his side should have after the way it played out.
ATLETI 1-1 ARSENAL — Video highlights & recap
Below is the latest Mikel Arteta reaction, speaking after Viktor Gyokeres scored from the penalty spot to take the lead in the away leg, only to give a penalty (and their lead) back to Atleti in the second half. Arteta will likely feel aggrieved by the referee’s decision to rescind a penalty-kick call that was initially given for David Hancko’s challenge on Eberechi Eze, but later ruled to have been insufficient contact for a foul.
Mikel Arteta reaction — What did Arsenal boss say about penalty call in draw vs Atletico Madrid?
“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 decision and it changes the course of the tie.”
“There are a lot of positives, a lot of very good things that we did. We knew we would have tough moments. … We are in an incredible position. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands.”
Arsenal goal-scorer Viktor Gyokeres, on the draw with Atleti
“I think in the first half, we controlled the game quite well. We had a few good opportunities and managed to score. In the second half, they started much better and managed to get a goal, and then towards the end we had a few OK chances. Overall, it was a tough game. It’s a tough place to come, but it’s only halftime.”
“It was not easy once they scored, they have the crowd here. We tried to play and get that momentum back that we had in the first half. Towards the end, we did but it was a tough second half.”
On the penalty decision that went against Arsenal: “I didn’t see either of the penalties, so it’s difficult to say but that’s football. I don’t know why they turned the second penalty down — it looks like contact, but it’s the referee’s decision.”
