Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta don respond to Graeme Souness after he call Bukayo Saka a cheat, as Arsenal prepare for their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. Arteta brush off the criticism, and e confirm say Martin Zubimendi dey return to the squad as Arsenal prepare for the Bayern match.
Souness make the comment on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored. E tok say Saka dey dive when e suppose stay on im feet, and e accuse the England international of simulation and deceiving referees without any foul. “Your man Saka dives all over the place. I don’t want to hear about him. The minute he looks like losing possession, he’s down,” Souness tok. “He simulates a foul. Anyone who simulates a foul in my book would be a cheat,” e add.
E still yan say Arsenal players dey put pressure on referees to influence their decisions. Souness argue say Saka suppose remain on im feet instead of exaggerate contact. E talk say the referee sometimes blow foul because e dey panic after Saka stay down and Arsenal players raise their hands.
Saka na second-most fouled player this season with 21 fouls, behind Elliot Anderson wey get 23. Saka bin face criticism during a quarter-final tie in 2024 when e go down after contact from Manuel Neuer, but referee Glenn Nyberg wave away appeals.
Souness yarn after dem accuse Saka of diving again in Arsenal’s 1-0 win on Sunday, and the comment leave Arsenal fans vex. Souness still tok say simulation dey all over football today, and e claim say if you ask 100 people wetin dem dislike about modern game, 50 per cent go talk simulation, another 50 per cent go talk VAR.
Arsenal go travel to Bayern Munich for the Champions League on Wednesday. After that, dem go play Premier League on Saturday before dem face Fleetwood Town for Carabao Cup three days later. Arsenal still get six more matches in less than three weeks before the next international break.
