Arsenal Legend’s Stern Warning to Bukayo Saka: Cautioning Against Exaggerating Injuries Following Fouls

Arsenal great issues caution to Bukayo Saka regarding over-dramatizing injuries during fouls

David Seaman, a legendary figure at Arsenal, has advised Bukayo Saka to refrain from exaggerating every time he’s fouled on the pitch.

Saka is enjoying an exceptional season, having scored 20 goals for the first time in his career, with 16 of those goals coming in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has been pivotal for Arsenal as they challenge Manchester City closely in the title race, aiming to break a 20-year drought for the Premier League title.

Seaman urges Saka to avoid exaggerating fouls

This season, the English international has been a target for opposition teams, evident in the fact that Saka ranks as the fourth most fouled player in the league, following Bruno Guimaraes, Jordan Ayew, and Mohammed Kudus.

Although Saka has only missed two games this season, he had a close call when he was hit with a harsh challenge from Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie in the first half of last weekend’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

Saka received treatment and then limped to the sideline, where he expressed his frustration to the fourth official, likely questioning why Christie wasn’t penalized for the challenge.

Seaman believes Saka overplays his pain when fouled.

Despite acknowledging that Christie should have been disciplined for the challenge, Seaman believes that Saka tends to exaggerate his pain too often and advised him to stop doing so.

“He should cut out the theatrics because that’s usually a signal for the physio bench when you’re genuinely hurt,” Seaman remarked on his podcast, Seaman Says.

“It’s not just Saka; I’ve noticed several other players doing it as well these days.

“Traditionally, that was a signal that you’re seriously hurt so the physios could prepare to come on as soon as the referee allowed them.”