Ian Wright insisted Glenn Nyberg was right to wave away Bukayo Saka’s claims for a penalty (Image: BBC iPlayer)
In the closing moments of Arsenal’s draw with Bayern Munich, Bukayo Saka was incensed that he was not given a penalty, but Ian Wright wasn’t sure the Gunners should have been given one.
Referee Glenn Nyberg’s decision to reject Bukayo Saka’s last-minute penalty request against Bayern Munich has the support of Ian Wright.
Saka was incensed that despite colliding with Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer deep into injury time, he was not given a spot kick. Nyberg, though, didn’t think Neuer had fouled the Arsenal player and let play go on.
The referee, surrounded by protesting Arsenal players, blew up for full-time a few moments later. Saka leapt from his treatment to confront Nyberg, pursuing the official as he made his way through the tunnel.
Even a member of the Arsenal coaching staff had to hold the star back. While the home crowd booed Nyberg loudly, not everyone associated with the Gunners felt it should have been a penalty.
Ian Wright, a club legend, supported Nyberg’s choice to ignore Saka’s arguments and concentrate on the second leg. Wright tweeted: “I don’t need a pen. Munich has work to be done.”
However, Wright’s position makes him incompatible with the Gunners team. Supersub Leandro Trossard acknowledged he had not seen a replay of the incident, but he insisted his team should have been given a spot kick.
“I thought it appeared to be a penalty on the field. Although I haven’t watched the replay, it appeared to me that there was obvious contact. I’ll have to wait until later to see it again, Trossard said to TNT Sports.
Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, supported Trossard’s position and Saka’s ire. The former England player was shocked to learn that Saka’s requests for a penalty had been dismissed by Nyberg.
Saka was adamant that he should have had a spot-kick after colliding with Manuel Neuer ( Image: Simon Dael/REX/Shutterstock)
“How come that wasn’t provided? It’s unbelievable, considering everything and VAR. After the game, Ferdinand angrily cried on TNT Sports, “I can’t believe that hasn’t been given.”
“Neuer, the man in your picture, is a real person. Saka was, in my opinion, Arsenal’s most dangerous player today. There is a penalty because he is running through. I can’t believe I’m in the stadium.”
Ferdinand was joined in his arguments by Martin Keown, a former teammate of Wright’s. Keown was even more incensed, claiming categorically that Neuer had initiated contact with Saka.
“Wow,” he exclaimed. Where I had assumed it to be a fine. The referee had a good game, in my opinion. Although there is a suspicion that Saka touches the ball with his foot, goalie Neuer’s movement actually moves the ball toward him as he emerges to challenge it. That is a daily fine in my opinion.”
