By Rob Worthington (Deputy Editor)
It’s time to talk about how referees treat Bukayo Saka. Discourse around this subject has exploded this week after the Englishman found himself on the end of a number of robust challenges at Villa Park last weekend. The Telegrapgh’s Sam Dean was the first to write an article on the matter this week, and a number of journalists and bloggers have followed up with their own takes. So, here’s my perspective. But first of all, a word on Bukayo Saka’s blistering form. On the latest episode of the Arsenal Cannon Podcast, Daniel Finton and I waxed lyrical about Saka. As I said on the podcast, often when I evaluate Saka’s superb rise to stardom, I think of an article written by my good friend and editor of this site Alfie Cairns Culshaw. In March of last year, Alfie posed the question of whether or not Saka was making ‘the leap.’ I think it’d be fair to say that if he hadn’t this time last year, he very much has now. Saka plays like a man who truly believes he belongs in a title winning team. He’s happy to carry the burden of being the talisman of an Arsenal team who sit two points clear at the top of the Premier League table. His outstanding return of 9 goals and 8 assists this season show just that. Oh, and in the middle of this season, he led his country to a World Cup quarter-final, scoring on three occasions. Most would agree that he’s put that infamous penalty miss at Euro 2020 behind him now. However, despite being a star of his national team and a Premier League superstar in his own right, Saka doesn’t get the same protection from referees that some of his high-profile England teammates seem to. Here’s some stats taken from Sam Dean’s article written earlier in the week. Bukayo Saka has been fouled 40 times in the Premier League this season. Players have received a yellow card for every 10 fouls they have committed on him. Saka himself has received a yellow card for every 4.8 fouls he has committed and was at risk of suspension for a number of weeks after collecting 4 yellow cards pretty early on in the season.
Jack Grealish on the other hand, a player fouled at a similar rate to Saka, sees an opponent receive a yellow card for every 4.9 fouls he receives.
And of course, these statistics don’t account for the blatant fouls on Saka which routinely don’t go Arsenal’s away. Quite ludicrously, some associate Saka with simulation. There are some Arsenal players who don’t shy away from buying a cheap foul every so often, a certain Swiss midfielder springs to mind, but Saka isn’t one of those players.
In fact, when it comes to winning fouls, most Arsenal fans would argue Saka often stays on his feet too long. There have certainly been occasions this season where he could’ve gone down under pressure from opponents, but he’s stood firm. Perhaps he’s aware that any appeal is likely going to be waved away.
Referees have a difficult job. I’m fully aware of that. But sometimes it’s blatantly clear whether an action is a foul or not a foul. For example, Tyrone Mings yanking Bukayo Saka down by the shoulder in the reverse fixture against Aston Villa at the Emirates, yeah, that was a foul.
It’s a curious situation. I’ve refrained from entering conspiracy discourse on this topic, but it seems to be staring me in the face right now. All I’m asking is that Saka be refereed the same as everyone else – fairly.
Fortunately, *knock on wood*, Saka’s ankles appear to be made of steel and his muscles of Kevlar (the strongest stretchable material as per Google). The fouls aren’t holding him back physically (yet).
But the fouls could well hold Arsenal back if they aren’t fairly called or punished. A crucial part of Saka’s job is to come out on top in 1v1, 2v1, and sometimes even 3v1 situations. As he is very good at winning such contests, opponents look to stop him illegally.
So, referees, if you see Arsenal’s no. 7 dispossessed unfairly, please just call it as it is. I for one am not looking for Saka to be protected, merely treated fairly. Do. Your. Job.
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