Arsenal star Bukayo Saka labelled ‘disgrace’ in furious rant over Real Madrid penalty miss

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka labelled ‘disgrace’ in furious rant over Real Madrid penalty miss

Former Tottenham and Real Madrid attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart slammed Bukayo Saka for chipping his penalty at the Bernabeu, though the Arsenal attacker still had the last laugh

Bukayo Saka chipped his penalty but it was saved by Thibaut Courtois

Rafael van der Vaart has launched an astonishing attack on Bukayo Saka following the Arsenal starlet’s missed penalty at the Bernabeu. The majestic England international, who dinked a first-half spot-kick which was saved by Thibaut Courtois, still ended up starring and scoring for the Gunners as they reached the Champions League semi-finals following a remarkable 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on their own patch.

Saka picked up the ball after Raul Asencio had pulled back Mikel Merino but Courtois was equal to his delicate chip. Van der Vaart, working as a pundit on Dutch TV, was bizarrely insulted by Saka’s choice of shot, later berating the winger in a strange, bitter outburst.

He said during Ziggo Sport’s broadcast : “I think this is a total overestimation of himself. In the sense of: ‘I’m going to steal the show here’. While this is a very normal player, who has to do his best every day.

“What he’s doing now is just a disgrace. When [Lionel] Messi does this we all say: ‘not smart, but he has proven that he can do this’. But I think Saka thinks he belongs among the best in the world.”

Van der Vaart is known for his controversial comments within the media in Holland but on the pitch, Saka did not let the setback knock his confidence, instead silencing the Bernabeu in the second half when he raced onto Merino’s pass before chipping the onrushing Courtois to make the score 4-0 on aggregate.

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Gabriel Martinelli’s late winner capped a historic night for the Gunners, who reached the last four of the Champions League for only the third time in their illustrious history. It’s also been 16 years since they’ve reached the semi-finals.

Saka feels Arsenal made a statement which will make the rest of Europe sit up and take notice, declaring: “We showed that we can play in Europe and beat one of the best teams in the world, home and away. Very proud of this team. Tonight was a big statement, and I am so happy for everyone.”

Rafael van der Vaart took issue with Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss

Mikel Arteta also paid tribute to Saka for his mental strength. The Spaniard said of his forward: “With Bukayo, again he stepped up. Obviously he didn’t score (the penalty) and that could have been a turning point in the game because it gave them a lot of belief.

“The way he handled the situation, the way he played afterwards and the personality he showed, at his age, the first time he has played in this stadium, incredible.”