Former EPL Referee Insists Saka Should Have Been Red-Carded Versus Everton

Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Monday opined that Arsenal forward cum left back Bukayo Saka should have been red-carded by referee Kevin Friend in the Gunners' dour goalless against Everton at  Goodison Park on Saturday.

The match which Saka played in for 90 minutes was the last that caretaker coach Freddie Ljungberg was in charge with new head coach Mikel Arteta watching on from the stands.

Gallagher spoke to Sky Sports on the review of referring decisions in the weekend matches in the Premier League.

Saka was fortunate not be sent off for his high foot on Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the England youth international of Nigerian descent already on a yellow card.

"The player is not aware that he's there, he boots his boot up and it's reckless," Gallagher reckoned.

"He runs the risk and I think if referee Kevin Friend had decided to pull out a second yellow card to send him off, he couldn't argue. The only thing is Saka's favour is he doesn't see the player coming," the former EPL referee stated.

Saka is a cover for the injured  duo of Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac.

Tierney underwent an operation to fix a dislocated shoulder which will keep the former Celtic defender put of action for three months while Kolasinac is struggling with an ankle ligament injury – likely to keep him out until January.

Izuchukwu Okosi

Photo Credit : arsenal.com