Declan Rice has backed up Mikel Arteta’s furious reaction to the overturned penalty that denied Arsenal a victory in their Champions League semi-final first leg, insisting the spot-kick was “clear” and accusing the hostile Atletico Madrid crowd of influencing referee Danny Makkelie’s decision.
Arsenal drew 1-1 at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night in a result that keeps the tie firmly in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyokeres gave the Gunners the lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after being bundled over by David Hancko.
Julian Alvarez levelled from 12 yards in the second half after Ben White was adjudged to have handled Marcos Llorente’s volley.
The controversy came with 13 minutes remaining when Eberechi Eze was tripped inside the area and Makkelie pointed to the spot – only to watch the incident back 13 times under the noise of 70,000 whistling Atletico fans and Diego Simeone’s theatrical protests before reversing his own decision.
Arteta was incandescent at full time. Rice, speaking to Stan Sport, was equally as furious.
“It’s a clear penalty. And I don’t know how that’s not been given. I think the fans provoked the decision and changed the ref’s mind.
“At first glance I thought if that’s in the Premier League it doesn’t get given because it’s so low to the ground. The ball’s not going on target. In the Champions League, referees are really quick to make decisions, and to blow their whistle, and you can’t do much about it. I feel like they penalise you more in European competitions. But it doesn’t matter. We move on to next week and we want to beat them.”
Saka calls on Emirates to deliver
Bukayo Saka, who returned from his Achilles injury as a second-half substitute, turned his attention immediately to the second leg, challenging the Arsenal supporters to create an atmosphere to match and surpass what the Metropolitano delivered on Tuesday.
“We have mixed feelings because we would have liked to have come away with a win. But we will take the draw, it’s halftime, and we’re full of confidence going back to the Emirates. I’m sure it’s going to be above and beyond what we saw tonight with the atmosphere, and that will definitely give us a boost.”
Before Atletico return to North London on Tuesday, Arsenal face Fulham at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday.
Victory would extend their lead over Manchester City from three to six points, with City holding two games in hand. Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
