20 February 2023 , 10:25
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Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has compared teammate Bukayo Saka to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with a simple demand to referees.
The Gunners’ academy graduate scored his tenth goal of what has been an extremely productive season in the dramatic 4-2 victory against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. That victory saw Mikel Arteta’s men reclaim top spot in the Premier League ahead of title rivals Manchester City.
Whilst his strike extended Saka’s excellent form this season, Zinchenko also found the back of the net for what was his first goal for the Gunners since his summer switch from the Etihad. Following the dramatics in the Midlands, the Ukrainian weighed-in on Saka’s threat and compared him to both Messi and Ronaldo.
He also made a simple demand to referees in the Premier League that the 21-year-old needs more protection from rough treatment as opposition defenders attempt to deal with him. He said: “Bukayo is an unbelievable player, all the full backs from the other teams they know he’s so dangerous, so they try to provoke him, tackle him and the referees should know this.
“We can speak about [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Neymar and players like this. The referees need to protect this kind of player.
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“Apart from Bukayo, we have other forward players who are so dangerous and the referees need to be careful, they need to look after them of course.”
Bukayo Saka endured some rough treatment at Villa Park (Getty Images)Is Bukayo Saka Arsenal's player of the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Zinchenko was not the only man to have noticed opposition players targeting Saka throughout the clash at Villa Park. A number of Arsenal fans took to social media during the game to voice their displeasure at the 21-year-old’s treatment.
In the meantime, Gunners’ boss Arteta is unlikely to have been pleased after previously making a demand to referees for more protection for Saka. Speaking after the youngster was forced off the pitch following a number of robust challenges against Nottingham Forest in November, the Spaniard said: “The referees have the duties to deal with that.
“The better the players become, the bigger target they become, because people try to find ways to stop him. That is why football has very clear rules, what you can do and what you cannot do, and that is the referee’s job.”
Saka will be aiming to extend his excellent form next weekend as Arsenal attempt to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners return to the Midlands on Saturday afternoon for a clash with Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester.
Saka has yet to score against the Foxes in his career but played a big role in the 4-2 win against them at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.