da dobrowin: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has denied that the club have complained to England's refereeing body, PGMOL, about the treatment of winger Bukayo Saka.
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Article continues below
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Arsenal reportedly asked PGMOL to investigate Saka treatmentClaimed that the star winger deserves protectionArteta insists that Arsenal have said "nothing specific"WHAT HAPPENED?
Reports emerged on Wednesday that the Gunners had appealed to England's central refereeing body asking for increased protection of Saka. According to , Arsenal have asked for opponents to be booked after "the first strong foul" on their star man.
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But Arteta denied that Arsenal had referenced any specific issues in their contact with PGMOL: He told reporters on Friday (via ): "That’s daily communication. We have certain topics but nothing specific about that one. I think the referees know the tactics of the opponents and that some players invite more tackles. I think that's been going on for two years. We have wingers that provoke a lot of fouls and attention. That's something normal."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Arteta and Arsenal have made headlines for their relationship with PGMOL on multiple occasions this season. Most recently, Arteta avoided a ban for criticising referees — an event that was met with controversy around the Premier League.
DID YOU KNOW?
Saka is among the most fouled in the Premier League this seaosn, but ranks third on the list, behind Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes.