Arsenal have complained to the Premier League’s refereeing body about what they believe to be rough treatment of Bukayo Saka by opponents.
In 2023, Arsenal’s winger was the league’s third-most fouled player, being on the receiving end of 87 fouls. Only Jordan Ayew (117) of Crystal Palace and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes (92) were fouled more.
It is understood that it was an accumulation of incidents which prompted Arsenal to highlight that, in their opinion, opponents are free to clatter the winger without an initial punishment in Premier League matches.
The matter was brought up as part of a wider conversation earlier this season with the league’s refereeing body — dialogue which happens between all clubs and the body.
Arsenal are believed to have said that a referee should issue a yellow card to an offender after the first strong foul on the 22-year-old, rather than wait for a second infringement.
The concern over Saka is possibly influenced by the winger having carried an Achilles issue since last season. He was also forced off against Lens on October 3, which saw him out injured for a couple of weeks.
In February last year Arteta warned Saka that he can’t rely on referees to protect him from rough treatment.
The Spaniard said at the time: ‘He needs to learn when to take certain balls, what to do with that ball, how to use his body, when to jump.
'There are a lot of things we can train but obviously it is very difficult to understand what the opponent is going to do…
'Wingers and talented players get kicked and fouled and get the demand to win games and that is the chance he has, that is his role in the team.’
Earlier in the season, the FA charged Mikel Arteta for his rant about refereeing after the Gunners’ defeat to Newcastle, but an independent panel dismissed those charges last month.
Mukhtari
0
you are just a jobless poverty stricken attention seeker and I don't have your time, lunatic thinks everyone is like him😂😂
do you know what bottling means? yes or no?
allshama
0
do you even know what bottling mean😂
Ehhhhh you still have hope 😂😂😂😂
kolonegooner
0
IMO we need to leave the officials alone now .... it's costing us with marginal calls not going in our favor .... extremely evident .... bring back the grit n unselfishness that made us tic
peaceofmind
0
Dats in yo mind en so first go 4 medical check up😷😷
now I know that your brain isn't working well 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Mukhtari
0
in this article alone you made 4 comments. all dumb not stalking some dumb African Arsenal fan lol
you are just a jobless poverty stricken attention seeker and I don't have your time, lunatic thinks everyone is like him😂😂
Bernie990
0
Are you that jobless to be stalking me, don't you get tired lurking around peoples shadows
in this article alone you made 4 comments. all dumb not stalking some dumb African Arsenal fan lol
Tipcdertuy
0
he z just athird fouled en yr complaining hihihi wait untill he be de first
Vowaeiklop
0
Actually Saka is terrible. I wonder why they don’t even red card him. If referees were fair, Saka would get a red card in every game he plays. He is dangerous may be his size helps him
He even has 2 yellow cards this season so far, remaining only 3 to be suspended. Imagine such player is demanding protection from rough play.
Kiedelouyz
0
better than lazy trashFord😂😂😂
Dats in yo mind en so first go 4 medical check up😷😷
peaceofmind
0
Saka z a coward 🤣🤣
better than lazy trashFord😂😂😂
viucdelnz
2
keep crying Bottlersenal 🤣😭😂😭
matbcmnsu
0
he doesn't know how to skip passed players like how his own coach said let him learn from Sterling how to skip pass if you want to argue ask walker
Mukhtari
0
are you going to reply to every post with something very dumb?
Are you that jobless to be stalking me, don't you get tired lurking around peoples shadows
Makbciu
0
talented and skilled players are always protected. he should too be protected like the case was always with Messi and Ronaldo. or is it bcoz he is black?
zodbdkmrst
0
Saka must change his style of playing. He holds on to the ball even when Arsenal needs goals desperately. It is very easy for a good defender to mark him out.
you are mad
Tayadiy
0
his a selfish player I hate his football
Clown
Kiedelouyz
1
Saka z a coward 🤣🤣
ColinsGooner
0
3rd? That's no problem. Eden Hazard was the most fouled player in the EPL for so many seasons , yet PGMOL did nothing about it. Eventually, those hidden injuries ended Hazard's career prematurely at Real Madrid.
its always good to day dream,your talk says it all that you watch football group on radio station,how many players got red carded for fouling Hazard????,yet no one has been sent off on Saka only 6 players have been yellow carded,for instance Bernardo Silva kicked and fouled Saka 8 times in one match but without a even getting a yellow
Badhur
0
Hahahaha then keep him at glass the kiddo
ritiklnpyz
1
Just average player
shufflebeng85
3
If first and second not complaining why 3rd place crying like baby 🍼🍼 he wants his nipple bottle 🤣🤣🤣
Kesadlor
0
referees should cut down more fouls that hurt players to reduce injury.
Bernie990
0
do you even know what bottling mean😂
are you going to reply to every post with something very dumb?
thisishayzed
0
3rd? That's no problem. Eden Hazard was the most fouled player in the EPL for so many seasons , yet PGMOL did nothing about it. Eventually, those hidden injuries ended Hazard's career prematurely at Real Madrid.
Nah. refs blow instantaneously for Eden Hazard unlike this era where players are being kicked and refs will look away
KwadjoHerdrick
1
3rd? That's no problem. Eden Hazard was the most fouled player in the EPL for so many seasons , yet PGMOL did nothing about it. Eventually, those hidden injuries ended Hazard's career prematurely at Real Madrid.
Shaqdon
0
Chelsea never for one time complain about fouling Hazard which till date no player has that record
Which might contribute to Hazard retiring early 👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾👂🏾
motabeikot
0
Saka's life matters
GideonAT
2
What should the first and second most fouled player say then?
Mukhtari
0
Chelsea never for one time complain about fouling Hazard which till date no player has that record
shameless Chelsea fan 😂😂
Mukhtari
0
yet we haven't seen the 1st fouled player complaining!
worry about you crap Antony 😂😂
Mukhtari
0
Arsenal will finish in the top 4 quiet alright but let's remind them that they have bottled this one again... In conclusion arsenal is just an academy thats doing really well in producing players 😂😂😂
do you even know what bottling mean😂
Mukhtari
0
Saka must change his style of playing. He holds on to the ball even when Arsenal needs goals desperately. It is very easy for a good defender to mark him out.
advice your selfish vinicius
Mukhtari
1
his a selfish player I hate his football
close your smelly mouth if you don't know what to say
bezeimntyz
1
his a selfish player I hate his football
Dewaiknpz
3
Saka must change his style of playing. He holds on to the ball even when Arsenal needs goals desperately. It is very easy for a good defender to mark him out.
YakubuAutaSaad
0
Chelsea never for one time complain about fouling Hazard which till date no player has that record
That was when Chelsea was playing in EPL. I wonder where they are now..
Fauabnrsuy
3
Just closed ur mouth, u witnessed what Saka did to LFC players, cry cry coach...
allshama
3
Arsenal will finish in the top 4 quiet alright but let's remind them that they have bottled this one again... In conclusion arsenal is just an academy thats doing really well in producing players 😂😂😂
Riwbdelmnu
2
so what? he is 3rd 🤷🏻
nemcmoryz
1
cry more!
Maaakmtyz
1
Who’s the first most fouled player and did that player’s team make any complaint?
Soyelst
0
but saka also fouls other players First check the fouls he has in premier league only
Actually Saka is terrible. I wonder why they don’t even red card him. If referees were fair, Saka would get a red card in every game he plays. He is dangerous may be his size helps him
jeobkmpyz
2
yet we haven't seen the 1st fouled player complaining!
BanAllVisitors
1
Ayew isn’t complaining despite being fouled twice as him Get on with it
Facts. Not like Ayew and Bruno G can't get injured either.
veecmpsuz
1
show how many yellow cards those fouls produced… that’s where an argument for bias could actually lie. but right now i just see sure has been fouled like 30 more times.
veecmpsuz
0
city should go complain to them about grealish getting fouled too if that does any good. truth is, the modern game means you go down if you feel contact and pretend it hurt… not saying saka or anyone are divers, just the modern game. all refs can do is start handing out more yellow cards faster. then it’s a big advantage for attackers and makes defending even harder 🤷♂️ maybe it’s worth it to protect our star players though
Javimor
3
Ayew isn’t complaining despite being fouled twice as him Get on with it
myclubliverpool
1
Chelsea never for one time complain about fouling Hazard which till date no player has that record
fabadkprty
0
If you don't take time, your best players leg will be broken one day mark today.
myclubliverpool
0
crying babies