A furious Bukayo Saka decided to confront referee Glenn Nyberg for denying him a last-gasp penalty in the drama-filled UEFA Champions League first-leg quarter-finals clash at the Emirates Stadium against German side Bayern.
Saka appeared to nudge the ball on before colliding with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer and falling to the ground. The match was level heading into injury time when the England star was fouled.
The match official stood his ground, insisting that he was not alone in making the decision to deny the Gunners the penalty. This infuriated not only the players but also the fans. Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal icon Martin Keown were also left in disbelief that Nyberg had not pointed to the spot.
Saka thought he’d have a chance to put Arsenal in the lead with what would have been the final kick of the game after he went down under a challenge from Neuer in the area. The 22-year-old hoped to put Arsenal in the lead once again in the match, just as he did in the first 12 minutes, and perhaps win the first leg.
Now they have to wait for the second leg next week to stand a chance of heading to the semi-finals at the Allianz Arena.
However, Arsenal’s hope for a Champions League title hangs in the balance as they fought hard to a 2-2 draw with Bayern in the first leg of the quarter-finals clash staged at the Emirates.
Bayern, without any fans at the Emirates Stadium due to a UEFA ban, will welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena for the second leg on Wednesday next week with the tie in the balance.
