Paolo Di Canio accused Bukayo Saka of ‘behaving like a baby’ during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
An irate Saka confronted Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg at the final whistle after he was denied a late penalty following a collision with Manuel Neuer inside Bayern’s box.
Saka’s penalty claim has divided opinion following Arsenal’s draw, with Harry Kane indicating after the game that his England teammate had a strong case, while Ian Wright claims Nyberg made the correct call.
Former Juventus, Celtic and West Ham striker Di Canio also believes Saka should not have been awarded a penalty and has criticised the winger for his reaction to the decision.
‘He moves blatantly the leg towards Neuer, it’s never a penalty,’ Di Canio said during Sky Sport Italy’s Champions League coverage.
‘He didn’t behave as an experienced player. He behaved liked a baby with no experience.’
Speaking about the decision to deny Saka and Arsenal a penalty, former Gunners striker Wright said on the Wrighty’s House podcast: ‘I don’t think it’s a penalty, whatever angle you see, Saka’s gone in and moved the ball with his left foot.
‘At that point you should be moving to your left but for some reason his leg actually went out to the right. This is why it felt very strange for him to be fouled in that manner.
‘He shouldn’t be anywhere near Neuer, his right leg shouldn’t be there, it should be coming across to the left-hand side to tap the ball into the net. If he gets past him and stands on his feet, then he gets the tap-in.
‘I thought it was strange that his body was moving the other way. It seems to me that his body is moving that way because that’s where the goalkeeper is and he’s trying to initiate the contact.
‘I’m sorry, that’s how I see it. I’m just confused because the ball has gone to the left and Neuer has stopped so Saka doesn’t have to avoid him.
‘If we’re going to be honest about it – and I’m going to be honest – I wanted it to be a penalty more than anything else. But if the ball is going that way I don’t know why he’s going the other.’
