Graeme Souness has accused Bukayo Saka of being a ‘cheat’ who ‘dives all over’.
And the Liverpool legend believes Arsenal have a technique of ganging up on referees to persuade them {that a} ‘screaming’ Saka has been fouled.
It’s an accusation generally levelled on the England man, 25, who is commonly among the many most-fouled gamers in a given Premier League season.
Followers might keep in mind the controversy that erupted within the Champions League quarter-finals in 2024 when he tried to purchase a last-minute penalty towards Manuel Neuer in a tie which Arsenal ultimately misplaced.
And Souness dug into the winger on Piers Morgan’s Soccer Uncensored present, leaving his host outraged.
‘Your man Saka dives all over. I do not wish to hear about him. The minute he appears like shedding possession, he is down,’ he mentioned.
Graeme Souness has accused Bukayo Saka of being a ‘cheat’ who ‘dives all over’
Followers might keep in mind his ‘dive’ towards Bayern Munich within the Champions League in 2024
Souness says that Saka ‘screams’ when he goes down and that Arsenal’s gamers work to persuade the referee
‘He simulates a foul. Anybody who simulates a foul in my ebook could be a cheat.
‘He dives when he ought to be staying on his toes. He isn’t alone. So Saka will get tackled, he screams as he is taking place.
‘The referee thinks there’s nothing in that however wait a minute, he is stayed down. After which worse than that, everybody within the rapid space – all Arsenal gamers – put their fingers up and scream foul.
‘The referee at that time panics and blows his whistle when it wasn’t a foul – his first intuition was the best one.
‘However he blows a foul as a result of he is pondering, wait a minute, one thing I am not understanding right here.
‘Simulation is a type of dishonest, sure. But it surely’s throughout soccer immediately.
‘For those who requested 100 individuals what’s it you dislike concerning the trendy recreation, 50 per cent would say simulation, one other 50 per cent would say VAR.’
With the sport shifting at such pace, it’s tough to all the time know precisely how laborious a participant has felt contact, or how a tiny quantity of contact might genuinely throw them off.
Piers Morgan was sad with Souness’ suggestion, saying: ‘I would not name him a cheat
Saka’s notoriety for diving has lasted for years, however he’s removed from the one participant to have that criticism levelled at him.
The incident with Bayern in 2024 attracted a variety of consideration and debate. It initially appeared as if the goalkeeper had introduced him down, and the winger had acquired to the ball first.
Nevertheless, replays confirmed Saka shifting his leg in Neuer’s route to collide with him to attempt to purchase a penalty – a transfer which backfired.
Some pundits got here down on him with disapproval, with Paola Di Canio telling Sky Sports activities Italia: ‘He strikes blatantly the leg in the direction of Neuer, it’s by no means a penalty.
‘He didn’t behave as an skilled participant. He behaved like a child with no expertise.’
However Rio Ferdinand took Saka’s facet, saying: ‘I can’t consider that’s not been given! That could be a penalty, I’m in disbelief.’
