Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed frustration over a controversial refereeing decision following his team’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

The match saw Julian Alvarez cancel out Viktor Gyokeres’ second-half penalty to leave the tie evenly balanced.

However, the major talking point came after referee Danny Makkelie initially awarded Arsenal a penalty when substitute Eberechi Eze went down inside the box.

Following a review prompted by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Makkelie overturned the decision, sparking anger from the Arsenal bench.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said he was disappointed and upset by the outcome of the review, insisting the original call should have stood.

“After going back into the dressing room, speaking to the boys and watching the penalty incident, it’s extremely disappointing and annoying because it was against the rules and it changes the course of the tie. I’m very, very upset,” Arteta told reporters.

The Arsenal boss argued that there was obvious contact in the challenge and questioned why the referee reversed the decision after repeatedly reviewing the footage.

“The whole sequence. There is clear contact. You make the decision, you cannot overturn that decision when you have to look at it 13 times. It’s completely unacceptable at this level,” he said.

Arteta maintained that the decision had a direct impact on the outcome of the match and insisted such officiating errors should not happen in a competition of that magnitude.

“It’s the wrong decision and it changes the course of the tie. That cannot happen at this level,” he added.