Steven Gerrard's stance on Bukayo Saka emerges amid Arsenal's referee complaint

05 January 2024 , 10:18

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Steven Gerrard's stance on Bukayo Saka emerges amid Arsenal's referee complaint

Arsenal have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike after the Gunners lodged a complaint to the Premier League's refereeing body over the treatment dished out to Bukayo Saka.

Some feel the club were well within their rights to voice their concerns after seeing Saka on the end of some brutal challenges, while others feel it is Arsenal attempting to undermine officials and ensure preferential treatment for one of their best players.

The England international ranked third among the most fouled players in the top flight across 2023, with only Jordan Ayew at Crystal Palace and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes brought down more often. It is those high numbers that prompted the Gunners to flag the issue as part of a wider conversation with the officials.

This is not the first time the nature of the tackles Saka is on the end of has become a talking point. Back in 2022, then-Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard claimed that the Arsenal winger would have to "toughen up" and deal with the unwanted attention from opposition defenders.

After Saka had admitted he asked the referee for more protection following Arsenal's visit to Villa Park, Gerrard told reporters: "It's part of the game. The last time I checked it's not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality's allowed. He's a good player, he's an outstanding talent and I love him. But he can't complain about that side. That's football.

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Arsenal have called for Bukayo Saka to receive better protection from referees

"I'm sitting here now with screws in my hips, I've had about 16 operations, I'm struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That's all on the back of earning a living in English football. He'll learn and he'll learn quick."

In a bid to ensure Saka doesn't also have to get screws in his hips after his playing days, Arsenal have tried to take action, but not everyone is happy with the decision. Chriss Sutton suggested the Gunners are actually "embarrassing" their academy graduate.

"I think Bukayo Saka will be a bit embarrassed about the situation," the ex-Premier League ace told the It's All Kicking Off podcast. "It's a compliment, isn't it, that players want to get close to you and kick you? I don't think Arsenal, I don't know what they're thinking of there and where they're going with that. Ridiculous."

Josh O'Brien