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Steven Gerrard has told “outstanding talent” Bukayo Saka that he needs to learn to deal with the physical side of football.
Saka, 20, scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 1-0 on Saturday — but he was unhappy with his treatment at Villa Park.
Tyrone Mings was booked for a late tackle on the winger in the first half and Saka felt he needed more protection from referee Andy Madley.
He said: “I wasn’t complaining to the ref but I just wanted to let him know that that’s my game, running at players with pace, and sometimes I need a bit more protection when players are purposefully trying to kick me.”
But Gerrard did not feel his team were heavy-handed with the England international, insisting it is just part and parcel of life as a Premier League footballer.
The Villa boss said: “It’s part of the game. The last time I checked it’s not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality’s allowed.
“He’s a good player, he’s an outstanding talent and I love him. But he can’t complain about that side. That’s football.
“I’m sitting here now with screws in my hips, I’ve had about 16 operations, I’m struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That’s all on the back of earning a living in English football. He’ll learn and he’ll learn quick.”
Saka has been fouled 43 times in the Premier League and 15 times in the final third, the ninth and sixth most per 90 minutes in the top flight respectively.
Visiting boss Mikel Arteta backed his star player, who was fouled three times in the vital victory in the West Midlands.
“We have to listen to the players,” Arteta said. “They are the reason why we are all here.”
Saka was taken off with 21 minutes remaining and will now link up with the England squad for the friendlies against Switzerland and the Ivory Coast.
Arteta’s men are not back in action until Monday, April 4, when they will head across London to take on ex-Gunner Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace.
