Arsenal consider overhaul of security protocols after Conor McGregor's 'bizarre' sparring session with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice goes viral

UFC legend McGregor had a kickabout with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice after their 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, with the Irishman also engaging in light sparring with the former. After these clips went viral, The Times claims the Gunners began an internal inquiry into how McGregor got onto the pitch and have vowed to avoid a report of the episode.

During one of the clips, Saka can be heard saying, "Be careful," when lightly sparring with McGregor at the Emirates. The report adds that the mixed martial artist went onto the pitch without the club's permission, despite being asked to go back inside the stadium. The north London side reportedly found out that the 36-year-old and his entourage received VIP tickets through a third party called 1 Access. Moreover, the play fighting with Saka was 'most worrying' for manager Mikel Arteta.

The report adds Arsenal are looking at the arrangement where players can mingle with corporate guests after games. They are also said to be keen to distance themselves from the McGregor 'brand', given the 36-year-old was convicted of assault in 2019 - among other incidents.

Arsenal, who sit third in the Premier League after a 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday, are likely to try and avoid any such incident again in their next home Champions League tie when they host Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22.