Bukayo Saka: Does Arsenal winger need more protection from fouls? | Football News

Bukayo Saka’s performances for Arsenal this season have earned him more attention from opponents, but is it time for the England international to get more protection from the referee?

Saka has received some physical challenges especially in the Gunners’ 4-2 victory over Aston Villa last weekend with the winger limping off in the first half at Villa Park.

There were also signs of frustration from Saka after he was tackled from behind by Philippe Coutinho at the end of the 45th minute. There was a reaction, a push to Coutinho’s chest and then Douglas Luiz was also pushed by the Arsenal winger before Aaron Ramsdale and Jorginho intervened and took him away from the incident.

Saka, a cool and calm character usually, who has shown calmness beyond these years, is frustrated, but is it surprising when he is the target of the opposition for rough treatment?

‘The team wants to stop him’

“The team is not stupid. They want to stop him,” said Mikel Arteta after the win at Aston Villa.

The 21-year-old’s form has been a key component of Arsenal’s success this season. He has nine goals and eight assists to his name this season, so it’s no wonder teams are trying to find a way to stop him. Stop him and you can stop Arsenal.

That’s what Arteta believes Saka should be used to.

“He has to deal with it, not every week, but every three days,” Arteta said. “That’s his game – teams are not stupid and want to stop him. We have to protect him.”

Saka’s teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko went further.

“Bukayo is an unbelievable player,” said the Ukraine international. “All the defenders from the other team know that he is very dangerous, so they try to provoke him, tackle him and the referee has to understand this.

“We can talk about (Lionel) Messi, Cristiano (Ronaldo), Neymar and players like this. Referees must protect players like this, they must be protected.”

Saka targeting is not a new phenomenon

Saka is arguably Arsenal’s most dangerous player and teams will be looking for ways to try and stop him as his goals and assists continue to help Arsenal stay at the top of the Premier League table.

Back in November, Saka was forced off after half an hour in the team’s 5-0 win against Nottingham Forest after a poor challenge from Renan Lodi.

A few weeks later there was a clash on the touchline between Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, with the latter suggesting that Saka had gone down easily after a challenge from Marc Cucurella. No errors are given.

Saka was also booked for simulation at Southampton when replays suggested he was unlucky not to be fouled.

Even last season, Saka knew he had to overcome his physical approach after another game at Villa Park. From him BT sports after scoring the only goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win, he spoke to referee Andrew Madley at half-time about the treatment he received from Villa players. Saka said: “I didn’t complain to the ref, but I just wanted to let you know that this is my game, running at players quickly, and sometimes I need more protection when players deliberately try to kick me.”

Then Villa boss Gerrard had no sympathy but said: “It’s part of the game. Last time I checked it’s not a contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality is allowed. And I love him. But he can’t complain about that side. It’s football.

“I’m sitting here now with a screw in my hip, I’ve had about 16 operations, I’m now struggling to go to the gym. It’s all behind finding a life in English football. He’ll learn and he’ll learn quickly.”

However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a different reaction to the same question, saying: “We have to listen to the players. They are the reason why we are all here.”

Back in November, Arteta called on the referee to monitor Saka’s handling of opposition players.

“The referee has a job to deal with,” he said. “The better the players, the bigger the target, because people try to find ways to stop them. That’s why football has clear rules, what you can do and what you can’t do, and that’s the referee’s job.”

While Arteta’s plea for protection was addressed to referees and game officials, he knows that teams can be physical against Saka and against teams.

Physicality is a big part of England’s game, and Arteta insists his team can also help protect Saka, saying they need to be “smarter” to find ways to put the winger in less risky situations.

He added: “It’s about timing, decision-making, the space you’ve created before the action, and the understanding and knowledge of what’s going to happen before it happens.

“Sometimes [we can improve] the type of ball we give and when we give certain balls.”

Where does Saka’s frustration come from?

The frustration was evident from Saka last weekend at Villa. He also cut a frustrating figure for much of the game against Manchester City after a series of mistakes by Bernardo Silva.

So what happened?

In terms of Saka’s fouls, the Arsenal forward is the ninth most fouled player in the top flight. Since the start of the 2021/22 season, Saka has been the fifth player with the most fouls in the league – a number that is not always cause for concern.

However, if you dig deeper, Saka and Arsenal’s frustration comes from the constant number of fouls that go unpunished against the England winger.

This season Saka has been fouled 40 times, but he has only drawn four cards – just one booking for every 10 offences.

How does he compare to other players in the Premier League?

Wilfried Zaha has seen nine cards shown to opposing players from 57 fouls (cards per 6.3 fouls), while Jack Grealish has drawn 10 cards from 49 errors (a card per 4.9 errors).

Meanwhile, Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been fouled 34 times and seen six cards shown, and Saka’s Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Jesus has more protection with seven cards shown from 38 offences.

The match against Man City is an example. Bernardo Silva was penalized three times for fouling Saka in the first half, but it wasn’t until three times in stoppage time at the end of the half that the Portugal international was cautioned.

To add to the frustration, Saka has been in the referee’s notebook a lot this season.

He has been shown five yellow cards so far, with an average of 4.8 fouls per booking received, which means he is twice as alert for fouls as the opponent for his mistakes.

From the key to Arsenal’s title chances

Saka’s handling is not the only problem Arsenal have had with officials this season.

A few weeks ago, the Gunners were denied victory against Brentford due to a costly VAR error – and it’s not the first time this season that controversial VAR calls have contributed to Arsenal dropping points on four separate occasions.

However, the plea for protection for Saka and the frustration over his treatment was more than any other episode in Arsenal vs PGMOL.

So far this season Saka has started every game for Arsenal in the Premier League and with 17 goal involvements in his last 19 games, it’s understandable why the Gunners don’t want to lose.

Arsenal are looking to win the title for the first time in 19 years and keeping Saka fit and firing could be their best chance of getting over the line and lifting the trophy in May.

So far he has avoided serious injury as a Gunners player in the league, but will he continue without adequate protection?

Arsenal’s recent history has seen significant injuries to Eduardo da Silva, Abou Diaby and Aaron Ramsey, and while the latter won three FA Cups with the Gunners, none of the three were the same players before the injury.

Arsenal will be hoping to avoid another round with Saka.