Arsenal legend Martin Keown has demanded more protection for Bukayo Saka.
The 22-year-old Englishman suffered knocks in each of his last two games. He was in serious pain on both occasions, and that sight struck fear in Arsenal fans’ hearts.
Martin Keown says Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is ‘tough as steel’
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal just surpassed Paul Merson’s 26-year record by participating in 83 straight Premier League games.
That is a remarkable accomplishment for a 22-year-old, especially in light of how frequently his opponents kick him during games.
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Keown, who knows a thing or two about kicking players, has urged the referees to protect Saka after seeing the Englishman limp off the pitch in the last two Premier League games.
However, the Arsenal legend believes Mikel Arteta is right to continue to start Saka because he is really tough and always recovers from his injuries very quickly.
Keown told Eurosport: “I think you’ve got a play him. The thing is he needs more protection. Everybody tries to get tight to him. Everyone’s leaving a bit on him.
“This guy is tough as steel. He’s not one of them that will fall over. So, whenever I see him go down, I know it’s something real.
“He’s one of those players that we have to protect obviously, from an England point of view, from an Arsenal point of view. But you know he’s the player that is targeted. The manager, I’m sure will, whenever the team is ahead, try and get him off.
“I just feel that he’s one of those where you’ve got to try to read the scripts where you can get in front, and get him off sometimes.”
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Arsenal don’t have a proper backup
There are many players at Arsenal that can play the right wing, but none of them are a direct substitute for Bukayo Saka.
Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, and Leandro Trossard are all right-footed players, although Kai Havertz and Fabio Vieira are more suited to a central position despite being able to play there.
In January, Arsenal must prioritize adding a new left-footed right winger, and Wolves player Pedro Neto has received a lot of attention lately.
He seems like a fantastic addition for the Gunners, in our opinion.