A furious Bukayo Saka chased referee Glenn Nyberg off the pitch after being denied a last-gasp penalty in Arsenal’s draw with Bayern Munich.
The first leg of their Champions League quarter-final was level heading into the final stage of injury time when Saka was played through. The Gunners star appeared to nudge the ball on before he collided with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer and fell to the ground.
The Arsenal players and fans demanded a spot-kick be awarded, but Nyberg waved those claims away and quickly blew the full-time whistle. Nyberg indicated that the incident had been checked and cleared by VAR, but Saka was still left incensed.
The England star jumped up from being treated to confront Nyberg as he walked off the pitch and down the tunnel. He eventually had to be wrestled away from the referee by a member of Arsenal’s coaching staff.
Saka was not the only one furious with the decision though. Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal icon Martin Keown were left in disbelief that Nyberg had not pointed to the spot.
Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “How has that not been given? I can’t believe it with VAR and everything. I can’t believe that has not been given. That man in your picture, has got a life there. Saka today I thought was the most dangerous player for Arsenal. He is running through there, that is a penalty. I’m in the stadium, I can’t believe it.”
Keown added: “Wow. From where I thought it was a penalty. I thought the referee had a good game. There is a suspicion that Saka puts his foot towards the ball, but the movement from the goalkeeper, Neuer is actually going towards that ball and comes out and makes the challenge. For me that is a penalty all day long.”
Saka’s fury was backed by his team-mates, who surrounded the referee after he blew for full-time. Not everyone agreed though, with former England star Matt Upson instead backing Nyberg.
“I think it was the correct call not to award a penalty in the end. On first instinct you think it has to be given, but having looked at a replay it looks like Bukayo Saka has initiated the contact,” Upson told Radio Five Live.
“Manuel Neuer puts the breaks on as he rushes out and Saka almost kicks him in the end. A really good call from the referee under incredible pressure.”
Leandro Trossard had earlier swept home Gabriel Jesus’ pass to rescue a draw for the Gunners. They had fallen behind after Harry Kane’s first-half penalty, with Saka and Serge Gnabry having traded early goals.
