"He didn’t behave as an experienced player" - Pundit says Arsenal star 'behaved like a baby with no experience' in 2-2 Bayern draw
Former West Ham United forward Paulo Di Canio has hit out at Arsenal star Bukayo Saka following the Gunners' 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich. The north London giants played their first game in the Champions League in 14 years but only settled for a stalemate at the Emirates despite being the favorites.
Arsenal took the lead in the 12th minute through Saka but conceded twice in the first half owing to individual errors. Leandro Trossard scored a late equalizer for the Gunners in the second half meaning everything remains to be played for at the Allianz Arena.
Bukayo Saka, who has been arguably one of the best players for Mikel Arteta's side this season, had a solid game on the right flank. The 22-year-old opened the scoring and troubled Alphonso Davies throughout the game but had a controversial moment late in the game.
The England international went down inside the box being caught by Manuel Neuer. However, the on-field referee did not blow the whistle and VAR did not decide to intervene.
Paulo Di Canio slammed Saka for behaving like a 'baby' and insisted that it was not a penalty. The Italian said, as quoted by The Boot Room:
“He moves blatantly the leg towards Neuer, it’s never a penalty. He didn’t behave as an experienced player. He behaved like a baby with no experience.”
Saka has been influential for Arsenal this season as they are fighting for both the Premier League title as well as the Champions League. The 22-year-old has scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions this season.
Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal defender was 'out of his depth' against Bayern Munich
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior looked out of his depth against Bayern Munich in the Gunners' 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich. The Poland international was bamboozled by Leroy Sane in the 32nd minute and ran towards the goal before being caught by Declan Rice earning a penalty from which Harry Kane scored.
Following the game, Jamie Carragher highlighted Kiwior's struggles against Sane and also criticized Arsenal's defence in general. He said:
"The arrogance, the confidence, the ability to do that. Leroy Sane down this side, he was too much for Kiwior, he had to go off at half-time, he was out of his depth in that first half, but that run is out of this world. [Gunners defenders] look like they're drunk."
Kiwior has played 27 games across competitions this season and has been mostly used as a left-back despite predominantly being a center-back. Mikel Arteta started the 24-year-old ahead of his first-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko but the decision seemingly backfired.