Bukayo Saka has been told he could be forced into an early retirement because of the fouls he suffers.
That is the verdict from Arsenal legend Bob Wilson, who believes 22-year-old Saka could be kicked out of the game by the age of 24.
Saka is among the most fouled players in the Premier League, though he remains one of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta‘s most key players.
The England international has started every match this season in the Premier League except one where he was ruled out with a thigh injury.
And Wilson, who was no stranger to knocks during his days as a goalkeeper in the 1960s and 70s, believes referees need to better protect Arsenal’s star man.
He told the Daily Telegraph: “What drives me demented is we have one of the best young players and, if we aren’t careful, football will lose him by the time he is 24 or 25 because Bukayo Saka will have been kicked out of the game.
“Referees don’t seem to see or understand it. There are always a minimum of two players within five yards of Saka and often a third. If they can’t stop him, they kick him.
“People say, ‘What do you mean? That’s too dramatic’.
“I say there has not been a more kicked player in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka.
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“If he is facing in an attacking position, and he is taking them on, that is the time I worry. I really worry for Bukayo.”
Earlier this year, Arsenal complained to the PGMOL over the amount of fouls that the Englishman had suffered.
They believed that referees were not being strict enough to players who they felt had free reign to clatter into the youngster.
Saka is among the best players in the world and Arsenal fans adore him. Considering he is still a young player, the forward has played a lot of football already for the Gunners.
Since making his debut five years ago, Saka has played 248 times for club and country, including 65 goals.