Bukayo Saka has broken his silence after Conor McGregor was accused of “taking it too far” with him on the Emirates Stadium pitch.
UFC star McGregor was in attendance for Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League victory on 1 October and saw Saka bag the second.
The Irishman then ended up on the pitch having a kickabout with both Saka and Declan Rice, with footage being widely shared on his social media.
He then faked grappling him and taking him down before shaking his hand.
Some expressed concern for Saka, but he was stressed that his link-up with McGregor was in good spirits.
McGregor was not a guest of Arsenal’s and according to The Times, he did not have permission to enter the pitch.
He was asked to go back inside the stadium and there was concern expressed as to how McGregor came to be practicing MMA moves on one of their key players.
The box is situated near an area where players often congregate afterwards and it was there that McGregor came to be in the company of Arsenal players.
Arsenal are considering their matchday protocols and also keen to distance themselves from McGregor given previous controversies
Conor McGregor was in the headlines in midweek but not in the Octagon after getting on a football pitch and sparring with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka – but the Gunners have now made a decision following that episode.
Arsenal were in Champions League action on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium where they took on Paris Saint Germain in the new look league stage of the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side won 2-0 thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Saka as they picked up their first win of the season in Europe.