BUKAYO SAKA TOLD TO 'PACK IT IN' BY ARSENAL ICON AS ENGLAND STAR CRITICISED FOR TRAIT

David Seaman has called on Bukayo Saka and other Premier League stars to stop feigning injury during matches.

Saka, 22, was on the end of an ugly challenge from Ryan Christie in Arsenal's recent 3-0 win over Bournemouth, although he was able to continue playing after treatment.

The tackle, which left Saka writhing in agony, left the England star with a gash on his shin. Seaman, a former Gunners favourite, was initially left seething with the challenge - but he soon changed his opinion after watching the tackle back in a replay.

Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, he said: “When I saw the tackle, straight away I was like, ‘That’s a red card!‘ He went over the top of the ball but then caught him on his knee and then dragged it down his shin.

“[But] it weren’t even a yellow card. I know the VAR can’t give him a yellow card, they can only deal in reds.”

A frustrated Seaman added of Saka and his extravagant reaction to the tackle: “He needs to pack in that waving all the time as well because that’s normally used as a signal to the physio bench when you are in trouble.

“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.

Join the debate! What did you make of Christie's tackle on Saka: did it warrant a red card? Let us know here.

“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!’”

Despite Seaman's stance on Christie's tackle, a large portion of Arsenal fans were left in disbelief when VAR failed to intervene. Some took their frustrations to social media, although tensions were eased by Arsenal's ability to go on and record a comprehensive win.

The result means the Gunners are a point ahead of Manchester City at the Premier League summit ahead of the final weeks of the season, although Pep Guardiola's do still have a game in hand on their title rivals.

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2024-05-08T20:54:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd