David Seaman has urged Premier League players, including Bukayo Saka, to cease pretending to be hurt when playing.

Saka, 22, was the victim of a brutal challenge from Ryan Christie during Arsenal’s most recent 3-0 victory over Bournemouth. Despite receiving treatment, Saka was allowed to resume play.

The England star sustained a gash on his shin during the tackle, which caused Saka to writhe in agony. Former Gunners star Seaman was first incensed by the challenge, but after seeing the tackle replayed, he quickly had second thoughts.

He stated, “That’s a red card!,” as soon as he observed the tackle, in an interview with the Seaman Says podcast. He dragged the ball down his shin when he went over the top of it and was trapped on his knee.

It wasn’t even a yellow card, though. I am aware that the VAR can only deal with red cards; they cannot award him a yellow one.

“He needs to pack in that waving all the time as well because that’s normally used as a signal to the physio bench when you are in trouble,” a frustrated Seaman continued, speaking about Saka’s ostentatious response to the tackle.


“I’ve noticed a lot of other guys doing it as well, so it’s not just Saka. That was always the technique to let the referee know you were really hurt so they could rapidly get ready to go on when he gave the all-clear.
However, athletes are already making that signal, getting up, and not even getting medical attention. They are rule benders, so trust me when I say they will try everything!


Although Seaman took a stand on Christie’s tackle, many Arsenal supporters were shocked when VAR did not step in. Social media was used by some to vent their grievances, but Arsenal’s ability to win handily later on reduced tensions.

Despite having a game remaining against their championship rivals, Pep Guardiola’s team now sits two points clear of the Gunners at the Premier League summit heading into the final weeks of the season.