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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta uses just one word when asked about Bukayo Saka situation

Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Injured Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needed just one word to sum up his frustration at James McArthur not being sent off for a challenge on Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners hosted Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.

Arteta’s men took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard turned the game on its head.

Alexandre Lacazette bagged a last-gasp leveller to save Arsenal, but there is a real argument that Arsenal were hard done by.

Palace were lucky not to be down to 10 men in the first half after McArthur’s wild swing at Saka.

Arteta fuming with challenge on Arsenal talent Saka

With the ball dropping from the air, Saka came in to hook the ball clear for Arsenal.

McArthur was stood right next to Saka and volleyed him in the leg, seemingly suggesting that he was trying to volley the ball.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal walks off injured during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The ball had long gone though, and the Scot absolutely knew that Saka there and had got to the ball first.

Many can’t believe that McArthur wasn’t sent off, and Arteta has shared his frustration.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta responded with just one word when asked if McArthur should have been sent off.

‘Absolutely,’ said Arteta, who was laughing as he said it – seemingly in disbelief.

Arsenal had to substitute Saka at half time as a result of the challenge, and we can only hope that there is no lasting damage from a wild kick.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: The players clash after a foul on Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images