Bukayo Saka has admitted that he would foul himself following recent talk on how much protection the Arsenal star gets from officials.
Only seven players have been fouled more than the Hale End academy graduate in the Premier League this season, as per fbref. This has led to some concerns regarding potential injuries, with Gunners full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko urging referees to offer him more protection.
"Bukayo is an unbelievable player," the Ukraine international said after last month's 4-2 victory against Aston Villa. "All the full-backs from the other teams know he's so dangerous, so they try to provoke him, tackle him and the referees should know this.
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"We can speak about (Lionel) Messi, Cristiano (Ronaldo), Neymar and players like this. The referees need to protect this kind of player, they need to look after them."
However, Saka himself has played down this kind of talk, admitting that it is common for wingers to often be kicked by opposition defenders. Speaking to the Evening Standard about being fouled so frequently, the 21-year-old said: "It can mean [you’re a top player], but at the same time, I’d prefer other compliments!
“People know me more now, I’ve played more and more football, more and more at the higher levels as well, so they will know more what my game is about. So they will be setting up plans to stop me, of course, and foul me and stuff like that.
"It is normal for most wingers. The same happens for most of the other wingers in our team when they play. I just have to keep adapting, learn how to play one-versus-one, two-versus-one, three-versus-one, whatever it is.
“I can’t come out here and start complaining that I’m getting fouled. It doesn’t make sense, I’m not going to get anywhere with it."
The England international went on to speak about how he makes it a point to get up after being kicked, revealing that he takes inspiration in this regard from former Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. "Arsenal have had the meetings they need to have with the referees and stuff like that," Saka added.
"I feel like we just need to take it from there and see where that gets us. The way I play, I’m always going to attract contact. I watched Alexis Sanchez a lot growing up. He was a special player, I loved many things about him.
"That’s one of the qualities he had — he always got up, fought to the end. You could say I took that from him, but at the same time I have my own goals and ambitions. That’s also [part of] my drive.”
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