Ian Wright delivers five-word Bukayo Saka Arsenal penalty verdict after Bayern Munich controversy

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has admitted he did not think Bukayo Saka should have been awarded a penalty in stoppage time against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. The Emirates Stadium appealed strongly for a spot kick deep into second-half stoppage time as Saka went to ground following a coming together with Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Despite the legendary 'keeper clearly making contact with the Englishman, the appeals for a penalty were dismissed by the referee, Glenn Nyberg, as the match finished level. An irate Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown both agreed on TNT Sports that the challenge was worthy of a penalty.

The former Manchester United man began: «Neuer delays his leg from planting it and leaves it out that split second, which for me means it has to be a penalty. He is deliberately doing that.»

Keown added: «It’s movement towards the ball. If there were 10 top European referees here tonight, nine of them would have given and this referee is the only one who has not given it.

»I find it quite alarming that he has not given that penalty. You see that movement towards the ball there, that is enough to give that penalty for me."

Taking to X, Wright was level-headed in his response to the incident and tried to push the focus towards the return leg in Germany next week. He wrote: «Not a pen for me. Work to do in Munich.»

What Saka did to the referee after controversial penalty call

Why Saka was denied late Arsenal penalty

Before Arsenal can turn their full attention to the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final they must first host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

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