Bukayo Saka appeared to be fouled significantly more times than the number of free-kicks were awarded in the clash between England and France. The Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio decided not to award a free-kick when Saka appeared to be brought down before the opening French goal.
This is a sight that perhaps those of other clubs are less familiar with, although that could be ignorant, yet what is certain is that Arsenal supporters know all too well how this feels because Saka is a victim of this over-lenient refereeing, although that in itself by a lenient description of what is probably just poor officiating.
Saka was carded in the game against Chelsea that Arsenal won after he fouled Marc Cucurella moments after the Spaniard had clearly brought Saka down illegally but without punishment first. Saka had been something of a doubt for the clash at Stamford Bridge having had to come off against Nottingham Forest early after Renan Lodi’s hard challenge prevented the 21-year-old from continuing.
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Mikel Arteta had been asked several times about whether Saka should be protected. In the wake of what turned out to be a minor impact injury that the England international shook off later in the week, Arteta was dismissive in his post-match press conference.
When asked if the referees could give Saka more protection he said: “That’s for them, honestly.” He has expanded further in the past and admitted that better players become bigger targets.
Arsenal enter the new year with a Europa League ambition to go alongside their domestic goals. The hope of some respite from the harsh fouling and inconsistent officiating on the matter however appears slim after similar results on the international stage last night.
Arteta needs to find balance with rotation, rest and competitive strength in his selections when a potential title charge and European campaign align and mesh into a congested fixture schedule from March onwards. Knowing now that Saka is unlikely to receive any better treatment when playing away from the Premier League is probably unlikely to change anything for Arteta other than a subconscious roll of the eyes.
Fingers crossed that the issue continues to gain more focus and perhaps a change will be seen to give the talented star, and those like him, more protection and the offenders harsher punishment. I quite like football, and want to see the best at playing it not at risk of serious injury from far too lenient, or simply poor, officiating.
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