Chris Sutton has hit out at Bukayo Saka and claimed that the Arsenal star cost his team last week.
It has been a pretty tough few days for Mikel Arteta’s side. Many thought Arsenal would edge their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich.
And after Liverpool lost on Sunday afternoon, it really felt as though the Gunners had the chance to knock the Reds out of the Premier League title race.
However, Arsenal go into the second-leg against Bayern level at 2-2. And of course, their defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday left the Emirates stunned.
Chris Sutton criticises Bukayo Saka after nightmare week for Arsenal
It is not too much of a stretch to suggest that it could have been so different had a couple of moments played out differently. Obviously, Leandro Trossard was one of those to miss a glorious chance at 0-0 against the Villans.
And Bukayo Saka looked to have an amazing opportunity to edge Arsenal ahead in the final moments against Bayern.
The 22-year-old was played in and looked to take the ball around Manuel Neuer. However, at the crucial moment, Saka went down inside the area and catching Neuer.
The referee decided it was not a penalty, much to Saka’s frustration. And it seems that Chris Sutton agreed with the decision to not award a spot-kick, with the pundit hitting out at the winger on 606.
“I tell you what but I’m going to name check a couple of Arsenal players, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. Saka went down like a sack of spuds against Bayern Munich,” he said.
“He tried to buy the penalty. It was a dive. Just stop it, you’re a good player, you’re skilful but just put the ball in the back of the net. You cost your team there.”
A defining week in Gunners’ season
Ian Wright was one of those who suggested that Saka made sure he was clipped by Neuer. And it was something of a baffling decision given that it was a brilliant chance to put Arsenal in front.
You would also imagine that it would have been Saka who would have taken the penalty had he been awarded the decision. So it is not as though he lost his composure in that moment.
What you would have to say in Saka’s defence is that it is clumsy from Neuer. He does not have a lot of control if Saka is moving at a greater speed. And on another day, another referee could have easily come to a different conclusion.
It would be fascinating to know what a win for Arsenal would have meant for the Villa game. Perhaps it would have made them even more complacent.
They had their warnings against Bayern. But they did not bounce back on Sunday. And Arsenal now have a really tough job to save their domestic season.
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