Arsenal legend David Seaman has now urged Bukayo Saka to ‘pack in’ one frustrating habit the ‘rule bender’ does regularly following their 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth.
The Gunners secured three more points for their Premier League title bid last Saturday after goals from Saka (45’, penalty), Leandro Trossard (70’) and Declan Rice (90’+7). Arsenal crept four points clear of Manchester City with the win, before the Citizens then beat Wolves 5-1.
Saka now has 16 goals from his 34 top-flight appearances so far this season as Arsenal’s top scorer. The 22-year-old has also penned nine assists to share the top of that chart with Rice at Emirates Stadium. Only Kai Havertz (12) and Trossard (11) have also scored double digits.
David Seaman urges Bukayo Saka to ‘pack in’ the Arsenal star feigning an injury
But one thing that Saka did as Arsenal beat Bournemouth last weekend frustrated Seaman. The England hero has taken real issue with how the winger reacted to a questionable tackle by Ryan Christie in the 11th minute of the fixture, which left Saka with a gash on his left leg.
At first glance, Seaman felt Christie deserved a straight red card for his foul on Saka. But the Arsenal legend quickly conceded the foul did not warrant a yellow card upon seeing it back. Referee David Coote also did not show any card, only cautioning Christie in the 95th minute.
READ MORE: The 8 worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time in Premier League games
Christie stuck his boot into Saka’s shin with a studs-up tackle while trying to win the ball off the ground. The Bournemouth midfielder’s tackle also left Saka requiring treatment but the Arsenal product was able to continue. Yet the way that Saka gesticulated frustrated Seaman.
“He needs to pack in that waving all the time because that’s normally used as a signal to the physio bench when you are in trouble,” the Arsenal legend said on his Seaman Says podcast. “It’s not just Saka, I’ve seen a lot of other players doing it, as well, now.
“That was always the signal that you’re really hurt so that they can get ready really quickly to get on as soon as the ref signals to them.
“But players are doing it now, they’re doing that signal and then they’re getting up and they’re not even receiving treatment. They will try all sorts, trust me, they’re rule benders!’”
Arsenal will feel aggrieved that Ryan Christie avoided a card after Fabio Vieira’s red vs Burnley
While Seaman took issue with how Saka reacted to Christie’s tackle, Arsenal should feel a bit aggrieved that the Bournemouth midfielder did not receive a yellow card let alone a straight red. Fabio Vieira merited a straight red card for a similar tackle against Burnley in November.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate to send Vieira off at Emirates Stadium for a tackle on Josh Brownhill. The Portuguese playmaker caught the Clarets’ captain on his knee while they fought to bring down the loose ball. Brownhill also rolled away after somewhat light contact.
Arsenal could even feel that Christie’s tackle on Saka was arguably worse than Vieira’s tackle on Brownhill. Yet while the Bournemouth man avoided even a yellow card, the Gunners saw Vieira receive a straight red that demanded a three-game ban, although he then got injured.
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