Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has responded to Steven Gerrard's comments on Bukayo Saka being consistently fouled.
The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory against Gerrard's Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, with Saka netting the only goal of the game, firing a driven finish past Emiliano Martinez in the 30th minute. However, the Hale End academy graduate was left unimpressed by Villa's defending, admitting he was frustrated with the number of times he was kicked at Villa Park.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, he said: "I wasn’t complaining to the ref, but I just wanted to let him know that that’s my game - running at players with pace - and sometimes I need a bit more protection when players are purposefully trying to kick me." Gerrard quickly replied to Saka’s comments, urging the England international to get on with it.
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The Liverpool icon replied: "[Saka] said we were too rough? And they didn't commit any fouls today? Listen, it’s part of the game. The last time I checked it's not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, I think aggression is allowed, I think physicality is allowed.
"He's a good player, he's an outstanding talent, I love him, but he can’t complain about that side. That's football." He then added: "I'm sitting here now with screws in my hips, I’ve had about 16 operations. I'm struggling to go the gym at the moment and that’s all off the back of earning a living in English football. He’ll learn and he’ll learn quick. Unless they change it to a no-contact sport, which I don’t think they will.”
Now, Lacazette has got involved, leaping to the defence of Saka. The Frenchman took to Twitter to Retweet a post from club photographer Stuart MacFarlane.
The post read: "Lost a bit of respect for these two this weekend", with Gerrard's aforementioned quotes attached, as well as comments from former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher. Gallagher had defended referee Andrew Madley's decision to book Granit Xhaka, despite some Arsenal supporters claiming the yellow card was brandished on reputation alone.
