Mikel Arteta warns Bukayo Saka that he CANNOT rely on protection from referees

Mikel Arteta has warned Bukayo Saka that he cannot rely on referees to protect him from rough treatment, insisting the winger must also learn how to keep himself out of harm’s way.

Saka reacted angrily during Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa last week after he was on the end of another hefty challenge.

There is a growing frustration among supporters who believe the winger is unfairly treated – and referees are being unfairly lenient with offenders.

Saka has been on the end of 40 fouls but they have resulted in only four bookings. Saka himself has been booked five times.

‘Obviously he attracts a lot of attention. It is like Gabi Martinelli or Gabi (Jesus) when he plays, or Eddie (Nketiah) or Martin (Odegaard),’ Arteta said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester.

 Mikel Arteta warned Bukayo Saka that he cannot rely on referees to protect him during games

Opposition defenders have continually targeted Saka with tough challenges this campaign

‘It is normal creative players want to be stopped and they (the opposition) want to restrict the ball getting into them, occupying and exploring certain spaces. What we have to try to do is completely the opposite.

‘I’m sure refs want to protect every game and individuals in the best possible way. There is a lot of focus now on Bukayo, and we need to keep that in mind as a team with the plans that we put together, understanding what the opponents are doing but for sure referees have their responsibilities and they have to do their jobs.’

Arteta added that some of that responsibility fell on the winger’s shoulders: ‘He 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… if you ask him how it used to be when he was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 – it isn’t very different. 

‘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.’

As revealed by Sportsmail, Saka has told Arsenal he wants to stay, with the Premier League leaders close to tying down the forward to a new contract worth a minimum £10million-a-year. 

Arteta insisted that Saka must learn to stay out of harm’s way and not rely on match officials

Arsenal travel to Leicester with a two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table

Thomas Partey ‘could be available’ to face Leicester at the weekend, Arteta revealed on Friday

Martinelli has already committed his future to Arsenal, and Arteta was asked if the positive news about Saka shows that Arsenal are building for success for years to come.

‘That is what we have to do that is our responsibility to keep our best players and people and the people who has the same aims and purposes with the club and stick them together for a while and give them some stability and from there keep evolving and from there become a better club.’

Thomas Partey could return to the fold at Leicester after missing a couple of matches with a thigh injury. 

His recovery would pose a dilemma for Arteta, after Jorginho’s long-range effort led to Arsenal’s dramatic victory over Aston Villa last week.