Following Arsenal lodging a complaint to the Premier League's refereeing body over the treatment of Bukayo Saka by opposing players, football fans and people in and around the game are voicing their opinions on the matter.
The north London club have held talks with the PGMOL (the Premier League's refereeing body) about what they deem to be rough treatment of their lead striker.
England forward, Saka, was the Premier League's third-most fouled player in 2023 after being brought down 87 times in the competition. The only players who were fouled more in that calendar year were Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace with 117 and Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes who received 92.
Arsenal have been unhappy with the nature of tackles being made on Saka with debate among fans and pundits alike rife with opinions on the situation. Others in the game feel that the club were well within their rights to voice their concerns after seeing Saka on the end of some brutal challenges.
Pundit and former Blackburn, Chelsea, Aston Villa and England star Chris Sutton believes that Arsenal haven’t helped his situation, calling it ‘embarrassed,’ saying: “I think Bukayo Saka will be a bit embarrassed about the situation.
“It's a compliment, isn't it, that players want to get close to you and kick you? I don't think Arsenal, I don't know what they're thinking of there and where they're going with that. Ridiculous."
Fellow-pundit and former Villa and England star, Gabby Agbonlahor said that all concerned at Arsenal should 'shut up and stop moaning' after complaints about the treatment.
“It's all you hear off Arteta and Arsenal,” he says. “Just get on with it - it's football.
"Honestly, just stop moaning. Get on with your game,” he says.
On his player’s claims, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said: “He (Saka) needs to learn when to take certain balls, what to do with that ball, how to use his body, when to jump.
“There are a lot of things we can train but obviously it is very difficult to understand what the opponent is going to do. Wingers and talented players get kicked and fouled and get the demand to win games and that is the chance he has, that is his role in the team."
