Steven Gerrard has issued a message to Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal star’s comments on asking for more protection from rival players.
Speaking to the Mirror after Aston Villa’s 1-0 loss to the Gunners, the English coach admitted that Saka will have to learn to adapt to being fouled numerous times in games given the nature of Premier League football and his style of play.
Despite scoring the only goal of the match, most of the conversation around Saka since his latest Arsenal performance has been around how little protection the England international is offered by referees from rival players.
Saka was on the end of a rash challenge from Tyrone Mings that only saw the Villa captain receive a yellow card, with the Arsenal winger telling BT Sport afterwards that he hopes referees can offer him more protection.
Yet for Gerrard, Saka needs to simply learn to deal with the physicality of English football, with the Villa boss saying: “He’s a good player, an outstanding talent. I love him. But he can’t complain about that side of it, that’s football.
“I’m sitting here now with screws in my hips. I’ve had about 16 operations. I’m struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That’s all on the back of earning a living in English football. He’ll learn and he’ll learn quick.”
Arsenal star Saka must be protected by referees after Villa performance
Protection for Premier League players has always been minimal from referees, and Saka’s latest comments after his display for Arsenal are a stark reminder that more has to be done from officials to ensure wellbeing in athletes.
Indeed, Saka’s game is driven by running at players with the ball, and if opponents are not being justly punished for consistent fouling and kicks on the Arsenal player, the England superstar could see his career come to a shorter end than any of us will expect.
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