Wednesday was a day for the football world to take a deep breath. Following the dazzling spectacle at Parc des Princes between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and the mesmerizing performances by players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Desire Doue, and Luis Diaz, the spotlight moved on.

As the baton was passed to Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, the expectation was high. Some skeptics likened the match to taking aspirin after a wild party, but this Champions League semi-final first leg offered its own brand of thrilling intensity. It was a clash filled with raw energy, relentless action, and heated debates, engaging the senses in a way that contrasted sharply with the previous night’s fantasy football.

Was it a letdown after the Lord Mayor’s Show? Perhaps. The PSG-Bayern showdown might remain unmatched for decades. However, Arsenal and their devoted fans wouldn’t be fazed. Despite being underestimated and often overlooked, they have ascended to the top of the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of this esteemed competition. Their resilience and determination are unwavering.

Arsenal was denied a seemingly clear penalty late in the game when Eberechi Eze was brought down, a decision that could have clinched a victory. Nonetheless, they earned a 1-1 draw, a result that positions them favorably as they prepare to host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday. The prize at stake is a spot in the final, set to take place in Budapest at the end of May.

The match began with an element of surprise. Madrid had braced itself for a soaking, with predictions of torrential rain and an ‘extreme weather’ alert. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, was even asked about his team’s readiness to face the impending storm.

Julian Alvarez’s penalty ensured Atletico Madrid will go into the second leg at Arsenal level

Alvarez converted the spot kick after a controversial handball decision against Ben White

Yet, as the game was about to start, the skies cleared to reveal a stunning blue expanse dotted with a few benign clouds, sparing Arsenal from any weather woes. This unexpected turn of events left some visiting fans jokingly questioning the Spanish equivalent of ‘Michael Fish.’

There was some disappointment for the travelling fans when it was announced that Bukayo Saka had not made the starting line-up and was continuing his recovery from the bench. Kai Havertz was out. Viktor Gyokeres, who has been struggling to make an impact, led the line in his place.

There was no downpour but a blizzard of toilet rolls rained down from the stands before the start. The atmosphere was deafening. It was the kind of noise that Arteta pleads for before games at The Emirates. It seemed to motivate Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, too. He hurtled into the opposition half after kick-off and charged down a home clearance.

Atletico dominated the early stages but Arsenal made the first chance. Noni Madueke jinked down the right and crossed deep to the back post. Gabriel Martinelli rushed in to try to head it home but it was just too high for him and when it fell to Piero Hincapie, he could only volley it into the side-netting.

When Arsenal had the ball, they were met with a cacophony of whistles and jeers but after a quarter of an hour, they created another fine opportunity. Gyokeres sprinted the length of the Atletico half and held off Marcos Llorente before pulling the ball back for Odegaard. Odegaard should have shot first time but he delayed and allowed a defender to block it.

Arsenal were already struggling to cope with Julian Alvarez, who looked sharp and hungry after his return from injury. Alvarez arrowed a shot towards the bottom corner from the edge of the area and it took a fine save from David Raya, diving low to his left, to keep it out.

Arsenal had grown into the game, though, and were beginning to exert a measure of control. The crowd developed whistling fatigue. Madueke cut in from the right and drove a fizzing shot just wide of Jan Oblak’s right hand post. On the touchline, Arteta turned away in frustration.

Then, three minutes before the interval, Arsenal got the breakthrough. Martin Zubimendi and Odegaard played a one-two, Zubimendi nudged the ball on for Gyokeres and he was shoved over in the box by David Hancko. The referee pointed to the spot and Gyokeres slammed the penalty past Oblak.

Arsenal got a huge scare four minutes after the break when Alvarez curled a free kick over the visitors’ wall. He hit it with power and pace and whip and when it bulged the net, the Atleti fans thought he had scored. The crowd roared but the ball had gone just the wrong side of the post.

A few minutes later, Atleti came close again. Ademola Lookman burst through on goal and when his shot was saved by Raya, it rebounded to Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann danced past a challenge and shot for goal. He thought he had scored but somehow Gabriel hurled himself in the way and deflected the ball over the bar.

Arsenal were denied a second penalty of the night after a controversial VAR intervention

Vitkor Gyokeres put the Gunners in front just before half-time in a tense semi-final, first leg

Mikel Arteta’s men were good value for their draw and will take an advantage into the second leg

It was only a short reprieve for Arsenal. A minute later, the visitors were defending a corner when the ball bounced up and hit Ben White’s hand. The referee went to the monitor to check the replay and awarded the penalty. Alvarez hit it so hard and true that Raya did not move. It almost looked as if the ferocity and the precision of the kick startled him.

It was the Argentine striker’s 25th goal in his 41st Champions League appearance, a mark that even surpassed the feat of Lionel Messi, who took 42 matches to reach his quarter-century.

It felt like a critical juncture for Arsenal. The stadium was alive with noise and yearning. Atleti pressed for a second goal. Griezmann hit the bar with an improvised shot that turned into a chip. Then he fired the rebound just wide on the volley. Then Raya clawed a corner out from under the bar. Arsenal desperately tried to weather the storm.

Raya came to their rescue again when Lookman got to a low ball in front of Ben White and stepped past him. He was 12 yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat but he hit his shot too close to Raya and made a fine stop to smother it.

Slowly, Arsenal managed to get a foothold in the game again. Alvarez was substituted. The mood in the stadium dipped slightly and when it did, Arsenal won a penalty. Or they thought they had. Eberechi Eze got to the ball before Hancko and Hancko stamped on his foot. It looked like an obvious penalty but, inexplicably, the referee went to his monitor and changed his decision.