Jamie Carragher disagrees with Steven Gerrard as strong Arsenal penalty statement made

Arsenal were leading at the Wanda Metropolitano up until Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvaraz scored from the penalty spot in their Champions League semi-final first leg

Jamie Carragher has criticised the decision to award Atletico Madrid a second-half penalty against Arsenal for handball, claiming it's a "stain on the competition".

Just before the hour mark, Diego Simeone's side equalised after Julian Alvarez's emphatic spot-kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres' first-half strike. But the Gunners were furious after referee Danny Makkelie opted to point to the spot after VAR advised him to have a second look at the incident.

Marcos Llorente's rasping effort appeared to strike Ben White's arm, prompting strong appeals from the Atletico players. Makkelie didn't initially give it, but following a closer look at his pitch-side monitor, the Dutchman changed his mind and decided to give Atletico the opportunity to level from 12 yards.

Reacting to the decision, it's safe to say that ex-Liverpool defender Carragher disagreed with the call and said the Gunners were unfortunate to give a penalty away.

Carragher said on X: "The champions league is the best football by a mile, but these penalty decisions for handball really are a stain on the competition. Last nights was worse but that should not be a penalty against White."

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard offered a different outlook on the incident. He said on TNT Sports: "I think when your arm is away from your body, even if you don't mean it, at this level, in this competition, I think they're given.

"I don't think it's a penalty in the Premier League but there you go."

Co-commentator McCoist added: "Is there any contact off his left leg? I doubt it. I don't think it. I really don't like it. I'm not sure there's no contact off his leg, you know."

Minutes after Atletico equalised from the spot, Makkelie awarded Arsenal a penalty after he felt Eberechi Eze was felled in the box by David Hancko. Eze went to ground after feeling contact from Hancko and Makkeile was in no hesitation but to point to the spot, much to the frustration of Simeone and the Atletico players.

But, after a VAR review and Makellie heading across to his pitch-side monitor, he decided to overturn his initial decision and ensure that the Gunners weren't able to score from 12 yards.

The game ended up finishing 1-1 ahead of next week's second leg at the Emirates Stadium.