Controversy over Arsenal penalty decision took over headlines as Arsenal were denied a vital spot-kick in their 1-1 draw with Atletiko Madrid in the first leg of the semi-final of the UEFA champions league.
The most crucial point was during the second half when the referee, Danny Makkelie, first indicated the spot when it seemed that Eberechi Eze had been beaten up in the box. The case seemed easy on the surface. The penalty was however overturned after a long VAR inspection.
This reverse caused a great level of frustration in the mind of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. How can the decision be altered after such detailed replays, he openly questioned. To Arteta, it was not only the call but the way it was done.
In a broader sense, such moments put into focus the issue of consistency of VAR. When a referee requires more than one replay to reverse a decision, then there are questions on whether the initial incident was clear. The response by Arteta is indicative of an increasing worry among managers on the application of technology in decisive matches.
Although the blowback happened, Arsenal managed to fight off in a difficult away game. The Julian Alvarez equaliser made the tie just as close as possible going into the second leg.
Arteta also admitted that there are two sides to a decision. He tolerated a second incident of penalties in the game, which reflected an open-minded attitude in spite of his frustration. To sum up, there is much to be won by Arsenal in the future. But this controversial Arsenal penalty decision might become a moment in their European campaign had the margins been this close.
