Bukayo Saka fires heavily against match officials after draw with Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has expressed his frustration with the match officials following his side’s 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were left feeling aggrieved after Declan Rice was sent off for impeding a quickly-taken free-kick, a decision that ultimately swung the momentum of the game in Brighton’s favour.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Saka highlighted the perceived inconsistency in the refereeing, arguing that a similar challenge by Brighton’s Joao Pedro earlier in the game went unpunished.

“We just want some consistency,” Saka said. “Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it. Declan Rice got the slightest touch and was sent off. We just want some consistency.”

Saka’s comments reflect the growing discontent among Arsenal players and fans regarding the lack of consistency in refereeing decisions. The Gunners’ inability to capitalize on their numerical advantage in the second half added to the sense of frustration, as they ultimately dropped two valuable points in the title race.

The incident involving Rice and the subsequent red card proved to be a turning point in the match, as Brighton gained a significant advantage by playing with a man extra. The Gunners will be hoping that the officials show greater consistency in future games as they continue their pursuit of Premier League glory.