Mikel Arteta warns Bukayo Saka that he cannot rely on protection from referees as he continues to be targeted by opponents

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.

'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