Ian Wright Stands with Bukayo Saka in Face of Racist Abuse Following Penalty Miss.

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s draw with West Ham on Sunday, Gunners star Bukayo Saka was subjected to a disgusting barrage of racist abuse on social media.

Despite his promising performance on the pitch, the 21-year-old’s missed penalty during a crucial moment in the game ultimately led to Arsenal losing their lead and settling for a draw.

However, Saka has not been left to face this hateful vitriol alone. Arsenal legend Ian Wright has publicly issued his unwavering support for the young star.

Wright’s message, conveyed via The Athletic , reads: “He will always be our starboy no matter what. He has my unequivocal support and I would expect everyone around Arsenal to do the same. Vocal support matters. I want him to know we will always rally around him.”

The heartbreaking reality is that racist abuse directed towards black players is an all-too-common occurrence in the sport, and Wright acknowledges this painful truth: “As a black player, that [racism] is always there. It’s not enough to miss the penalty and take the disappointment that comes with that, because as a black player, you must also take racist abuse?”

Despite the vitriol directed towards Saka, Wright remains optimistic about the future. He is confident that the Emirate faithful will come out in full force to support Saka during Friday night’s home league clash against Southampton.

Wright’s unwavering support for Saka is a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark time, and it is a reminder that the football community must come together to stamp out racism in all its forms.