Bukayo Saka: I Told The Ref To Protect Me More, Felt Targeted

By The Editor
on 19th March 2022

Bukayo Saka wasn’t too impressed with the rough treatment at Villa Park…

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka said he told referee Andy Madley to offer more protection as they made their way into the tunnel for half-time with the 20-year-old feeling targeted, he told Arsenal Player.

Attempting to kick Saka out of the game has been a tactic many teams have adopted this term and it’s only through sheer luck that the England international has so far evaded serious injuries.

Tyrone Mings was lucky to only be shown a yellow for his reckless challenge on the Hale End graduate, while the likes of Ashley Young also took their rotational turns in kicking Saka.

The Arsenal forward was on the wrong end of horrific challenge by Crystal Palace’s James McArthur which went unpunished earlier this term too, to Mikel Arteta’s dismay.

Now, Saka has made a private and public plea for officials to protect him more, especially when the opposition are blatantly targeting him.

“Very painful, I’ve been receiving kicks like that the whole game here,” Saka said regarding the knock which forced him to withdraw from the game.

“It’s my game, I’m going to keep going and to keep dribbling.

“I was just speaking to the referee about protecting me more, especially when I feel like I’m being targeted like that,” Saka added.

You would think that Saka is eligible to benefit from the subconscious bias English stars have received in the past with regards to their relationship with officials, but that’s yet to materialise.

It’s in the best interest of the nation for Saka to have a long and healthy career, and the officials have a job to do to protect players from serious foul play.

With an international break looming as England gear up for two friendlies, one wouldn’t be surprised to see Saka potentially sit out of one of those games.