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Ian Wright asks enraged Bukayo Saka question after what transpired to Arsenal man v Crystal Palace
Ian Wright has expressed his anger over Mike Dean’s decision not to send James McArthur off following a challenge on Bukayo Saka on Monday evening.
Arsenal rescued a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium following a late Alexandre Lacazette equaliser, but there is a feeling that the travelling Eagles should have been down to 10 men after a challenge from McArthur in the first-half.
Referee Dean had already blown his whistle for another incident in the penalty box and chose to only show McArthur a yellow card despite the cynical foul on Saka.
The Arsenal and England star was then forced to leave, with Mikel Arteta confirming he was “very sore” as a result of the challenge.
Speaking to Sky Sports following the match, Arteta said: “We had to take him off because he could not continue, he was very sore. I saw the action and I cannot believe how (McArthur) continued on the pitch.”
The Gunners manager then called on VAR to play more of a role in the protection of players, saying: “If we want to detect things that are really relevant in a game and can change a football match, then they have to be looked at.
“That situation is not only affecting them but we have to take the player off because of the action so it is affecting it two different ways. It is not right.
“You [need to] make a straight decision, when it is so clear and so obvious straight away and they have to play with ten men.”
Wright, like Arteta, cannot believe McArthur was allowed to continue playing for Palace in the draw with Arsenal.
On Premier League Productions on Monday evening, the former Arsenal forward stated:
“How they have not given that for violent conduct is beyond me.
“The ball is there why is he still kicking him? How have they missed that? How can they miss that?”
Then, when asked about the incident being a “high-end yellow card”, Wright responded: “Oh, come on, man. So, what? Is there low-end red cards, then? What is the difference?
“It’s a yellow card. It’s ridiculous. Another decision where they have made something up just to let it run on. That’s sending off.
“It doesn’t surprise me (on Saka not coming back on for second half). That was a proper volley he got on the calf.”
Arsenal will be hoping Saka’s injury isn’t too serious, as the Gunners only have a few days before their next Premier League match against Aston Villa on Friday night.
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Ian Wright asks enraged Bukayo Saka question after what transpired to Arsenal man v Crystal Palace
