Fans reach instant verdict on Atletico Madrid penalty controversy during Arsenal defeat

Arsenal have progressed to the final of the 2026 Champions League after they beat Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium 1-0.

Victory for Mikel Arteta’s side ensured the club would make it to their first Champions League final in 20 years, when they face either PSG or Bayern Munich in Budapest.

Bakary Sako scored the decisive goal in the game, when he tapped home from close range in the first half, pouncing on a Leandro Trossard effort that had been pushed away by Jan Oblak but only as far as the English winger in the six-yard box.

Arsenal worked hard for their victory and many fans will say they deserved to overcome Diego Simeone’s side to reach the final; however, there are online supporters who think that Atletico should have been awarded a penalty.

As Giuliano Simeone knocked the ball past David Raya he looked like he was destined to score but Gabriel managed to put the attacker off; however, fans do not believe it was a fair challenge and the Spanish side should have been given a penalty as had it not been for the Arsenal player, who did not get a touch on the ball making contact with the Atletico player, then the scores would have been level at a stage in the second half.

Should Atletico Madrid have been given a penalty in the second half? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MJF67m6PJ0

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 5, 2026

Fans, who are not of an Arsenal persuasion believe that Atletico should have had a penalty, and they have let their feelings known on social media.

One supporter wrote: “Yes without a doubt. I was watching it without sound, I couldn't understand why it wasn't given.”

Another said: “They should’ve had 2, but it’s Arsenal so it just doesn’t happen to them.”

While one fan added: “How does Gabriel get away with it week in week out.”

An outspoken individual regarding the decision not to award the penalty to Atletico was Wesley Sneijder, who was working as an analyst for Ziggo Sport.

He said: “Arsenal should be grateful the ref isn’t awarding those penalties. Atletico Madrid should’ve at least 3 goals now. There’s a contact. That’s definitely a penalty.Not falling when he made the contact doesn’t mean it’s not penalty. That’s a penalty for me.”

The former Dutch international also indicated that the foul by Riccardo Calafiori on Antoine Griezmann in the second half was a clear foul and it would have been awarded had the referee not given Arsenal a freekick second earlier as Gabriel went down holding his foot after a challenge.

🚨 Sneijder on Gabriel Foul on Simeone :

Arsenal should be grateful the ref isn’t awarding those penalties. Atletico Madrid should’ve atleast 3 goals now. There’s a contact. That’s definitely a penalty. Not falling when he made the contact doesn’t mean it’s not penalty. That’s… pic.twitter.com/GZjH6jlfmo

— Darren (@MUFCDarren_) May 5, 2026

Due to the referee blowing his whistle and play stopping before Griezmann went down in the area there was no chance for VAR to get involved, as fans believe Gabriel went down lightly to be awarded the freekick and had play continued a penalty may have been awarded instead.

However, some fans appeared incensed that Arsenal got away with several penalty decisions.

One fan said: “Yes, 100% they should. But Gabriel initiated a foul and then threw himself to the floor screaming. And again, gets the foul, as he has all season.”

Another added: “One of the clearest penalties you will ever see; it’s insane the amount of stonewall penalties not given against Arsenal this season.”

While one wrote: “The whistle went for a foul on Gabriel before this happened. If the ball went in the back of the net after the whistle was blown, it still wouldn't have counted.”

Gunners fans don’t believe that this should be the case, and they will not care about these questions following the match, as their side are through to the Champions League final.