Graeme Souness has branded Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka a cheat, accusing him of diving to win free-kicks.
The former Liverpool captain made the explosive comments during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored.
He argued that Saka goes to ground too easily and that Arsenal players put pressure on referees to influence their decisions.
Souness insisted the England international, almost always among the Premier League’s most-fouled players, should stay on his feet rather than exaggerate contact.
“Your man Saka dives all over the place. I don’t want to hear about him. The minute he looks like losing possession, he’s down,” Souness said to Morgan, an Arsenal fan.
He added: “He simulates a foul. Anyone who simulates a foul in my book would be a cheat.”
The 71-year-old also accused Arsenal players of surrounding referees whenever Saka goes down, claiming their reactions can force officials to reconsider their initial judgement.
According to Souness, the winger’s screams and his teammates’ protests can persuade referees to award fouls they would otherwise ignore.
He acknowledged that simulation is a widespread problem in modern football. However, Morgan strongly disagreed with Souness on the Saka accusation.
Many might remember the controversial incident involving Saka and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during their Champions League quarter-final meeting in April 2024.
Saka went down after appearing to make contact with Neuer inside the penalty area, but Arsenal were denied a late spot-kick.
Replays suggested the winger moved his leg towards the goalkeeper, prompting criticism from several pundits.
Attacking players with an X-factor like Saka are routinely targeted during matches as opponents look for ways to limit their impact.
Branding him a cheat is a bit over the top, even for a man renowned for exaggerated comments like Souness.
For a pundit who should know better, throwing around the word ‘cheat’ so casually says more about his own judgment than it does about Saka.