Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has admitted he fears that Gunners superstar Bukayo Saka will be "kicked out of the game" if he doesn't get more protection from referees.
Mikel Arteta's side raised eyebrows at the start of the year when they officially complained to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) that their academy graduate was not receiving adequate protection from referees during games. However, Arsenal's complaints were laughed off by rival clubs, who pointed out that Saka was only the third most-fouled player in the league.
With that being said, that hasn't stopped Wilson from flagging Saka's rough treatment as an issue once again. The comments come just days after the 22-year-old withdrew from the England squad with an injury that left him unable to train with the Three Lions.
"What drives me demented is we have one of the best young players and, if we aren’t careful, football will lose him by the time he is 24 or 25 because Bukayo Saka will have been kicked out of the game," Wilson told The Telegraph.
"Referees don’t seem to see or understand it. There are always a minimum of two players within five yards of Saka and often a third. If they can’t stop him, they kick him. People say, ‘What do you mean? That’s too dramatic’ – I say there has not been a more kicked player in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka.
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"If he is facing in an attacking position, and he is taking them on, that is the time I worry. I really worry for Bukayo. I see Saka up with the greats… if he is not kicked out of the game. He is clever, dangerous, and knows when to release it. I love him on one side and [Gabriel] Martinelli, with his sheer pace, on the other."
Saka has enjoyed a stellar season so far for his boyhood club. He leads the way in terms of goalscoring, with 13 goals and eight assists in the league alone. Arsenal will need him fit and firing in their next outing.
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Bukayo Saka has been on the end of some brutal tackles this season (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)The Gunners' next fixture sees them travel to the home of title rivls Manchester City on Sunday. If Saka can fire Arsenal to a rare win at the Etihad for Arteta's side, it would put the north Londoners firmly in the driving seat when it comes to the race for the league.
The Gunners are still fighting on two fronts at this late stage of the season. As well as a thrilling title race, a two-legged Champions League quarter final clash with Bayern Munich also awaits Arsenal next month.
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