Arsenal submit complain to PL game officials management body over Saka's rough treatment

London, 

Thursday, 4 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Arsenal have made a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over the rough treatment received by Bukayo Saka.

According to the NorthLondon based Premier league club, their winger Bukayo Saka is regularly unfairly targeted by opponents. 

The Gunners feel that their most effective, and most attacking player is a top attention to opposition teams in a way that is designed to nullify his impact on the pitch. 

The Arsenal insider reports that the 22-year-old is doubled-up on in an effort to mark him out of the game.

Saka was considered on of the best players in the 2022/23 season contributing to his team finishing second in the premier league standings and earning a promotion to the UEFA champions league for the first time in six years. 

Already this season, the 22-year old academy graduate has scored 9 goals and made 12 assists in 26 appearances, across all competitions for the Gunners. 

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. 

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.

The complaint is pending to see whether changes will take effect om the officials’ management of fouls on Saka noticeably in the coming match days.