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Arsenal battled to a well-deserved draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico but will feel hard done by after a decision which led Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist to agree on a conspiracy theory.<\/p>\n
Viktor Gyokeres won and converted a penalty as D\u00e1vid Hancko went into the back of the Arsenal striker in the box at the end of a first half the Gunners controlled.<\/p>\n
Atletico offered little but were a different animal after the break, with Antoine Griezmann hitting the bar and Ademola Lookman hitting two very presentable opportunities straight at David Raya.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Gyokeres battles Simeone \u2018dark arts\u2019 to enjoy sliding doors moment in \u00a3130m Arsenal boost<\/strong><\/p>\n The La Liga side drew level through a Julian Alvarez penalty as Ben White was harshly but correctly adjudged to have handled the ball in the Arsenal box.<\/p>\n Mikel Arteta thought his side would be given the opportunity to take an advantage back to the Emirates next week when Eberechi Eze was caught in the box under another challenge by Hancko, only for the referee to overturn his decision after being asked to consult his pitch-side monitor.<\/p>\n While there was minimal contact, it certainly didn\u2019t appear to be the \u2018clear and obvious error\u2019 required to overturn the decision, and yet Arsenal were denied the spot kick.<\/p>\n On commentary, McCoist claimed the same would not have happened had the decision not to award the penalty gone against Atletico.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I make a little suggestion to the two of you? I think if that\u2019s in the other box, it\u2019s given, and it stays given,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Gerrard replied: \u201cYeah, probably because of the reaction of the crowd and (Diego) Simeone. I think he played a big part. He\u2019s in the referee\u2019s eyesight when he\u2019s coming over (to the screen).\u201d<\/p>\n McCoist concluded: \u201cI\u2019m telling you, if that\u2019s in the other box, it stays a penalty.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin Keown took aim at referee Danny Makkelie for \u201cbuckling under pressure\u201d in the Wanda Metropolitano.<\/p>\n He said on TNT Sports<\/em>: \u201cI simply do not think it was a clear and obvious mistake that needed to be overturned.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not what we wanted VAR for, that is not why it was brought in.<\/p>\n \u201cThe referee should have been allowed to make the decision and VAR gets too involved.<\/p>\n \u201cThe referee should not have even been made to go to the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Simeone looking on, I think the referee has buckled under pressure. There is definite contact and it is clumsy from Hancko.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n