Bukayo Saka has warned referees that he needs more protection after coming in for rough treatment during Arsenal ’s victory at Aston Villa.
Saka was speaking after his side took a huge step towards Champions League qualification, moving four points clear of their nearest rival Manchester United. The win ends a hectic week which has seen the Gunners play three times in six days and Arsenal now sit in fourth spot with a game in hand as well as their points advantage.
Their fifth straight away win was earned courtesy of a first-half Saka strike, with the visitors well worth their victory. It’s a result which feels a pivotal one for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are moving closer to a return to Europe’s top competition after five years away.
Saka was the standout player on display at Villa Park, scoring his tenth league goal in an increasingly impressive season for the England international. His goal came after he was subjected to a number of robust and physical challenges from Steven Gerrard’s side.
The 20-year-old drew ire from the home support when protesting to the referee but he’s revealed that rather than moaning, he was asking Andrew Madley for a little extra protection.
“ 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,” he told BT Sport.
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Arsenal were forced to defend deep in the closing stages as Villa understandably went on the front foot in search of a late equaliser. And Saka commended his team-mates and claimed they have become a stronger and more resilient side as the season has progressed.
“That’s the Premier League, that’s football,” he added. “We’ve been in that situation a lot this season and we came out on top, and we did that again today.
“We are (tougher and resilient), we’ve been much better at doing that this season and seeing out victories, helping us get more points. “It’s a big win off the back of the Liverpool defeat midweek, we knew that today was even bigger and to get that result today, the three points it means so much for the rest of the season. We’re so happy.”
The Gunners now have a welcome fortnight break, with Crystal Palace the first of 10 cup finals between now and the end of the season. “That’s the aim [to finish in the top four], but we have to stay humble and treat every game as a cup final for sure.”
