Champions League: Atalanta Held by Arsenal, With Late VAR Drama
Arsenal kept their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout phase alive with a 1-1 draw at Atalanta on Tuesday, but they will need to beat Lyon in their final group game to progress.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal the lead in the 23rd minute, but Duvan Zapata equalized for Atalanta just before halftime. The Italian side thought they had won it late on when substitute Luis Muriel scored, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
The result leaves Arsenal in second place in Group F, one point ahead of Atalanta. Lyon, who beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 on Tuesday, are top of the group with eight points, while Atalanta have seven points.
Arsenal will now host Lyon in their final group game on December 9. The Gunners will need to win to progress, while Atalanta will need to beat Shakhtar and hope that Arsenal lose.
The match at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo was played in front of no fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was also a return to Bergamo for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who spent two years as a player with Atalanta.
Arsenal started the game brightly and took the lead when Aubameyang latched onto a through ball from Kieran Tierney and finished calmly past Pierluigi Gollini.
Atalanta grew into the game and equalized just before halftime when Zapata headed home a cross from Hans Hateboer.
The second half was a tight affair, with both sides having chances to win it. Arsenal came close through Bukayo Saka, who hit the post, while Atalanta had a great chance to win it late on, but Muriel's goal was ruled out by VAR.
The draw means that Arsenal's hopes of reaching the knockout phase are still alive. However, they will need to beat Lyon in their final group game to progress.
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