Arsenal match-winner Bukayo Saka has revealed his dialogue with referee Andy Madley during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa. The attacker says that opposition players were "purposely" kicking out at him.
His strike on the half-hour sees the Gunners open up a four-point gap from Manchester United in fifth with a game in hand over the Red Devils. The England international, who has been named in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for next week’s friendlies, was a livewire all game.
Villa personnel hounded him throughout the 69 minutes he played, albeit Saka said he smelt some foul play going on. Speaking to BT Sport post-match 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."
