'I get fouled a lot, but I'm not one to complain'

Arsenal star says unwanted attention from defenders shows that he is doing well, and tells Dan Kilpatrick that there is no point moaning when he just wants to improve

- Dan Kilpatrick

BUKAYO SAKA knows that being targeted by opponents means he must be doing something right — but the Arsenal and England forward would rather receive recognition of a different type.

“It can mean [you’re a top player], but at the same time, I’d prefer other compliments!” said Saka.

These are not in short supply for the winger, who was last night named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards, but the issue of his treatment by opponents and officials remains a talking point.

It came to a head in Arsenal’s comeback win over Aston Villa last month, when the young England star — usually so level-headed — finally lost his cool by shoving Philippe Coutinho and then Douglas Luiz.

Saka had been on the receiving end of heavy tackles from the Brazilian pair during another game in which he had appeared to be specifically targeted by the opposition with a number of full-throttle challenges, of varying degrees of legality.

Afterwards, team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko called for greater protection for Saka from referees, comparing the way he has been targeted to Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Gunners boss Mikel Arteta acknowledged that the 21-year-old is increasingly being singled out during Arsenal’s push for a first League title since 2004.

Saka admits that he is becoming more of target as his influence continues to grow for club and country, but says he will have to learn to live with the rough treatment meted out to him.