Exactly why Arsenal submitted formal complaint to PGMOL over Bukayo Saka treatment

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Arsenal have made a complaint to PGMOL over the rough treatment received by Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal clearly feel that Bukayo Saka is regularly unfairly targeted by opponents. 

It is certainly fair to say that Saka is habitually afforded extra attention by opposition defenders. As the Gunners’ most effective, and talismanic, attacking player, opposition teams regularly set up in a manner designed to nullify his impact. This usually means that the 22-year-old is doubled-up on in an effort to mark him out of the game.

Saka has spoken out publicly about the challenge that this presents to him. The winger’s own numbers in terms of end product also show that this ploy can only be considered semi-successful, at best.

Over the course of 2023, according to one ranking system, Saka was considered the best player in the Premier League. Already this season, the Hale End academy graduate has racked up 9 goals and 12 assists in 26 appearances, across all competitions.

However, there is a suggestion that teams are starting to figure out how to stop Saka. He has certainly been less prolific than usual in recent weeks, having only netted once in his last six top flight outings.

That being said, the methods that teams have used to stop Saka have not always been fair, which has drawn the ire of Arsenal and inspired this complaint to PGMOL.

Why did Arsenal complain to PGMOL over Bukayo Saka treatment?

As reported by the Daily Mail, Arsenal complained to PGMOL that Saka is regularly the subject of rough treatment from opponents, and that officials have failed to adequately protect the 32-cap England international.

There is certainly some evidence to support this notion. In 2023, the Arsenal man was the third-most fouled player in the English top flight, being illegally upended on 87 occasions.

It was the frequency of such incidents, along with the fact that Arsenal believe players were too regularly allowed to escape bookings for fouling Saka in the first instance, which inspired the club’s complaint. 

As stated in the aforementioned report, “Arsenal are believed to have said that a referee should issue a yellow card to an offender after the first strong foul on the 22-year-old, rather than wait for a second infringement.”

Mikel Arteta is well aware that Saka will always be fouled on a regular basis, because it is the only means by which many defenders can even try to live with the supremely talented youngster. As the Spanish coach stated back in February, “wingers and talented players get kicked and fouled.”

However, the club clearly feel that a line has been crossed when it comes to Saka, and made their feelings clear to the referees’ governing body. It will be fascinating to see if the officials’ management of fouls on Saka noticeably changes in the coming weeks.