Bukayo Saka ‘not a cheat’ as Arsenal controversy analysed – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Bukayo Saka is “not a cheat” after the Arsenal winger was booked for simulation against Southampton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Spurs and Aston Villa defender said people don’t understand how difficult it can be for a player to stay on their feet when running at full pace.
The 21-year-old was booked for simulation in the 1-1 draw, despite replays showing that there was contact on the midfielder.
Writing in The Sun, as quoted by the Daily Mail (24 October), former referee Mark Halsey said whistler Robert Jones could have “avoided looking for trouble” and not booked Saka.
Hutton insisted it can be difficult to stay on your feet when running at speed.
“It is a difficult one,” he told Football Insider.
“I understand simulation and people getting annoyed with it. Especially the likes of Saka.
“When you are running at full pace, or you are cutting inside the pitch and you get a touch, because there was contact, it can be hard to stay on your feet.
“Was there enough contract to make him go down? People do not understand that when you are running at pace and someone tries to knock you off your stride you can go down.
“He is not a cheat, he does not cheat in my opinion. He is young, he is still learning his trade, getting better and better.
“It is one of those things that you can just get caught up in a little bit too easy. But again, running full pace it is quite easy just to knock somebody off balance.“
In other news, an expert has claimed Arsenal were victims of injustice as controversial Eddie Nketiah picture emerges.