Ian Wright has called on more protection for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka from referees, claiming the youngster is getting ‘kicked to bits’ this season.
The 21-year-old has been among Mikel Arteta’s best players in what’s shaping up to be an excellent campaign in North London.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League standings by two points ahead of Manchester City and Saka’s scored four and set up six in 13 appearances this season.
But the Hale End academy graduate – who earns £30,000 per week – has had to overcome physical treatment at the hands of opposition on defenders.
Even in Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Chelsea, Saka was having a private duel with Marc Cucurella, which resulted in the Arsenal attacker being booked before the Spaniard somehow.
And the legendary Gunner believes that the onus is on the officials to ensure there’s more protection going forward.
Speaking to the Wrighty’s House podcast, he said: “We’ve got to talk about Saka. The man is getting kicked to bits, man. He’s getting kicked to bits. There’s only been one booking for challenges on Saka this season. We need to start protecting these players.”
If there is an upside here, it’s that this physical treatment will ultimately make him a better and more robust player.
Lionel Messi has had to endure the threat of bullying for well over a decade and yet he has learned to overcome it.
Not that Saka will blossom into someone akin to the Argentine, but it should make him tougher nonetheless and long term, Arsenal supporters will tolerate the treatment, providing it doesn’t result in a long-term injury or something.
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