‘F*ck you!’ – Coutinho in angry confrontation with Saka after Mings wipes out Odegaard with studs up follow through

Philippe Coutinho was involved in a heated clash with Bukayo Saka during Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Arsenal on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED? Tempers flared at Villa Park at the end of an absorbing first-half between Villa and Arsenal. Coutinho was spotted yelling “f*ck you!” at Saka after the two players clashed. The incident started when Martin Odegaard was wiped out by Tyrone Mings, who made heavy contact with the Norwegian after clearing the ball. Coutinho then clipped Saka, who quickly jumped up and shoved the Brazilian in the chest, drawing a feisty response from Villa’s No.23.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Both players had already got their names on the scoresheet before the incident. Saka equalised for the Gunners following an early opener from Ollie Watkins, with Coutinho then restoring Aston Villa’s lead just after the half-hour mark. Oleksandr Zinchenko would be next to find the net, slamming home in the second half to pull the visitors level once again. Arsenal went on to take all three points with an Emi Martinez own goal and a Gabriel Martinell strike sealing a 4-2 victory.

DID YOU KNOW? Bukayo Saka has been directly involved in 17 goals in the Premier League this season (nine goals, eight assists), behind only centre-forwards Erling Haaland (30) and Harry Kane (18).

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WHAT NEXT? The two teams are back in action in a week’s time. Arsenal head to Leicester City in the Premier League, while Villa travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton.

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