‘The referee clearly made a mistake’ – Arsenal players fume over penalty decision against Atletico Madrid

“It’s a bit… The penalty they didn’t give, it was very clear. And that’s it, positive result,” Hincapie told Movistar+, clearly frustrated.

“Yes, clearly the referee made a mistake. It was a very clear penalty, but we continue, and we hope they go our way on other occasions.”

Viktor Gyokeres: ‘It will be different in the second leg’

Forward Viktor Gyokeres also spoke to the media after the game, telling TNT Sports that they did well in the first half but lost control in the second.

“I think in think in the first half, we controlled the game quite well, and we had a few good opportunities to score. We managed to score one, to get the goal, and then in the second half they started much better. They got a goal eventually, and towards the end we got a few ok chances, but it’s a tough game, we knew it would be a tough place to come.”

He too was a little miffed at the decision not to give Eze a penalty.

“I didn’t see theirs, so difficult to say, but yeah, it’s football. I don’t know why they turned [Eze’s appeal] down, it looks like there’s contact, but it’s their decision.”

In terms of Arsenal’s response to Atletico Madrid’s strong start in the second half, Gyokeres felt that the Emirates will be a different game.

“Yeah, it was not very easy. Of course they have the crowd here. We always try to play and get the momentum back that we had in the first half, and got it back a bit late on, but it’s a tough second half. We know it will be different with our fans in the second leg, and we know we have to do our job, be at our best, and it’s going to be a good game at home.”

The second leg kicks off at 21:00 CEST in London next Tuesday. Los Colchoneros are looking to make their fourth ever final, while both sides are seeking their first ever victory in the competition.