Ex-Fifa official swipes at Bukayo Saka as controversial Arsenal footage emerges
Keith Hackett has insisted Bukayo Saka has to be stronger for Arsenal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after Saka thought he deserved a penalty in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday (31 September).
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, the 20-year-old thought he was fouled by Tyrone Mings in the opening stages at the Emirates.
The two came together in the Aston Villa penalty area as Saka shielded the ball from his England colleague.
On-field referee Robert Jones waved away the penalty appeals and it was checked by VAR operator Darren England but he did not feel a clear and obvious error had been made.
“In real time, I thought he was fouled,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The referee is in a good position and he’s decided no. There’s not much in it when you look at it.
“It’s interesting when you see it again. In the modern game, the referee is not going to give that as a penalty kick.
“In real time I thought it was a penalty kick but watching it again, in slow motion, I’m happy that the referee has made the right judgement call.
“Saka’s got to use a bit more strength, it’s football, it’s a contact game.
“For me, it’s not a penalty kick. I’m going with the referee who is in a great position to make a judgement.”
Despite Arsenal’s perfect start to the season, Saka is yet to score in the Premier League.
As quoted by the Mirror earlier this week (30 August), he revealed he is confident of agreeing a new contract with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2024.
In other news, a medical insider has revealed the “truth” about Oleksandr Zinchenko injury as Arsenal images emerge.