Bukayo Saka gives verdict on Azpilicueta’s reaction to conceding penalty in Arsenal win over Chelsea

Wed 20 April 2022 22:09, UK Updated Wed 20 April 2022 22:45, UK

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has commented on Cesar Azpilicueta’s reaction to the penalty he conceded in the Gunners’ 4-2 win at Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta’s charges got back to winning ways on Wednesday night, following three consecutive defeats in the Premier League.

Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring in the 13th minute.

He took advantage of Andreas Christensen’s poor back pass and slotted a composed finish.

Timo Werner struck back for Chelsea, but Arsenal retook the lead in the 27th minute.

Granit Xhaka kickstarted proceedings by calmly dribbling his way out of the Arsenal area.

He then found Martin Odegaard, who duly set Bukayo Saka down the right wing.

The England international then passed to Odegaard, who laid the ball for Smith Rowe to slot first-time into the corner.

Chelsea then equalised again, Azpilicueta netting with a low finish just after the half-hour mark.

Nketiah went on to put Arsenal ahead again in the second half, making the most of some calamitous Blues defending.

Then, with injury time looming, Azpilicueta hailed Saka down as Cedric delivered a cross into the box.

Jonathan Moss duly pointed to the spot, with Chelsea captain furious over the referee’s decision.

There was a scuffle in the aftermath, with Azpilicueta and Gabriel Magalhaes both shown yellow cards.

Saka stepped up and sent his left-footed penalty into the bottom right corner as Edouard Mendy dived the other way.

“Huge result”

The England international spoke to Sky Sports after the game.

“We wanted to give the fans something to believe in us and we did that,” he said, via .

“We showed fight and character. It’s a huge result.

“It means a lot to us. Losing three games in a row is really difficult.”

On the penalty and Azpilicueta’s reaction, he said: “Of course he is going to be angry with me but it is what it is.

“It was a penalty.”