Diego Simeone speaks out on Arsenal controversy after angry tunnel bust-up

Arsenal’s first-leg of their Champions League semi final clash with Atletico Madrid was plagued by controversial penalty decisions, with both managers left unhappy at the final whistle

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone had his own complaints about the penalty controversy that blighted the Spanish side’s Champions League clash with Arsenal. Three spot kicks were awarded at the Metropolitano on Wednesday evening.

The first saw the Premier League side awarded a penalty after Viktor Gyokeres was taken down - the Swedish striker scoring. Atleti were then given their own as Julian Alvarez netted from 12 yards following an apparent handball from Ben White.

Arsenal thought they had been given their second penalty of the game as David Hancko stood on Eberechi Eze’s foot. But referee Danny Makkelie changed his mind after watching multiple replays at the VAR booth.

That was a decision that left Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta incensed. Speaking after the game, the Spaniard said: "Well after going into the dressing room and speaking to the boys and understanding and watching the penalty incident for the second one, getting it overturned, extremely disappointed and annoyed because it was against the rules and I don't understand it. It changes the course of the tie, so very, very upset."

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Atleti head coach Simeone has now given his take on the decisions. He said: “In my opinion, the first penalty involved contact from behind, the player anticipated the contact and went down. In Champions League semi-finals, you need a penalty that is truly a penalty.

“The referee understood that it was. On the other occasion, thanks to VAR, he understood that it was a penalty because initially it wasn’t a handball, and then, in the second instance, also thanks to VAR, it wasn’t a penalty.

“VAR sometimes gives you the benefit of the doubt and sometimes it takes it away.”

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid will renew their rivalry next week for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. And Simeone has sent his side a rousing message ahead of that game.

He added: “I rarely remember this atmosphere at the start of the match. Tremendous, wonderful, a gift to the team. The first half was calmer, with one chance for Julián and one for them.

“In the second half we adjusted more, you could see their fatigue from so many games that they’ve played, that they have to win the Premier League, the Champions League.

“In the second half we could have taken the lead, but their goalkeeper had good saves, a defender saved one from Griezmann. We have an extraordinary challenge ahead of us: London, Arsenal’s ground. We will go and play with everything.”

Simeone was involved in an incident after the game as he appeared to clash with Arsenal defender White.