Arsenal's bid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years hangs in the balance after a controversial 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in Spain.
First Half: Gyokeres Penalty Gives Arsenal Lead
Viktor Gyokeres fired Arsenal into the lead with a penalty after he was fouled by David Hancko in the area in the last minute of the first half. The Swedish international stepped up and, although Jan Oblak guessed the right way, he had no answer to the power of the strike.
Arsenal had the first sight of goal when Noni Madueke did well to get to the byline before finding Piero Hincapie at the far post, but the defender miscued his volley. Julian Alvarez called David Raya into action after 14 minutes with a fine effort from outside the penalty area. Moments later, Gyokeres' lung-busting gallop along the left-hand touchline and pass to Martin Odegaard presented the Arsenal captain with a chance to open the scoring, but Johnny Cardoso blocked his strike.
Arsenal were beginning to take charge, and with two minutes of the first half left they were awarded a penalty. Alvarez headed the ball straight to Martin Zubimendi, who played a neat one-two with Odegaard and then released Gyokeres. Hancko was the wrong side of Gyokeres, and in his haste to stop the Arsenal man, sent him over in the area. Dutch official Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot, and despite Diego Simeone's protests on the touchline, VAR did not intervene.
Second Half: Alvarez Equaliser and VAR Drama
Atleti started the second half with intent and just four minutes had passed when Alvarez's wicked free-kick found the side-netting. Alvarez then played in Ademola Lookman who could not find a way past Raya before Gabriel blocked Antoine Griezmann's follow-up.
When Marcos Llorente's wayward volley from just inside the area struck Ben White's left hand, a typically animated Simeone, backed by 70,000 Atleti fans, demanded a spot-kick. Referee Makkelie was originally unmoved but was urged by VAR to check his pitchside monitor and he reversed his decision. Alvarez blasted home and Arsenal were on the ropes.
Just after the hour, Griezmann's looped strike cannoned off the frame of Raya's goal. A triple substitution by Mikel Arteta – including the introduction of Bukayo Saka – followed as he attempted to wrest back control.
Late Controversy: Denied Penalty
Arsenal managed to weather Atleti's second-half storm and were celebrating a second penalty of the night when Eberechi Eze was sent tumbling by Hancko's outstretched right leg. Makkelie initially awarded the spot-kick but, after watching at least a dozen replays, elected to chalk off the penalty which, if converted, would have handed Arsenal a significant advantage ahead of next week's return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Arteta's men will still be hopeful of seeing off Atleti to secure their place in the final in Budapest on May 30. The Gunners will now turn their attention back to fending off Manchester City's challenge to secure a first Premier League title in 22 years with a home match against Fulham on Saturday.
