Jack Robinson embarrassed himself with a dreadful challenge on Bukayo Saka after a poor performance for Nottingham Forest against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Somehow Nottingham Forest’s captain on the night, Robinson was by far one of the worst performers on the pitch. Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin gave the left-back nightmares all night, as did Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe.
Chambers lost Robinson and found space on the right for Arsenal’s first goal, setting up Gabriel Martinelli with an excellent first-time cross. Robinson was then late to challenge Smith Rowe for a header, failing to win the ball and injuring the 19-year-old.
Joe Willock should have scored after being set up by Bukayo Saka and losing Robinson again, but Willock wasn’t going to let the chance pass him by twice, scoring his next opportunity. Once again, Robinson was the nearest defender.
Lucky to only be directly at fault for two goals and not four, 26-year-old Robinson completely lost his head and went flying in on young Bukayo Saka, who turned 18 this month.
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDWvid) September 25, 2019
Bizarrely, the referee only awarded a yellow card, despite Robinson leaping into the challenge with both feet off the ground and scything Saka down from behind without getting anyway near the ball.
Arsenal fans were rightly unhappy about the incident:
I screamed at the TV when he did this. What sick human being does this to any player let alone a teenager. Couldn't handle his big ego been played off the park by a bunch of teenagers. https://t.co/TG4O6v04Az
— Sam (@TheEmeryEra) September 25, 2019
Exactly the kind of thug that ruined Diaby’s career – a nobody with a cynical tackle after being played off the park by kids. Should be suspended
— Arshavin (@andreiarsevin) September 25, 2019
Yellow card.
— TikiTakaConnor (@TikiTakaConnor) September 25, 2019
I’m a grassroots ref and I have literally no idea why a RC wasn’t shown here.
— Sean Swift (@primetimeswift) September 25, 2019
Straight red, and to be honest, I think the suspension should last at least 10 matches with no pay. He could have literally ended an 18 year old’s career… disgusting thug.
— FC (@FCAbrao) September 25, 2019
Should be red. Went mad when he did it. Career threatening.
— markyb (@Blodtheyounger) September 25, 2019
Luckily, Saka turned out to be alright, and Smith Rowe doesn’t seem to have had any lasting damage done to him. However, if challenges like this aren’t punished, we’ll soon be talking about a broken leg as a result.
Robinson began his career at Liverpool, but he showed on Tuesday night why he’ll never be more than Championship standard.