‘I can take the knocks’: Bukayo Saka sends warning to Premier League defenders

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has sent a direct warning to Premier League defenders who are used to kicking him, stating that he is better equipped to deal with rough side of the game.

Saka has been on the receiving ends of some bad tackles in recent games and with Arsenal battling for the title, games are expected to get more physical.

The England international has now insisted that he’s ready for the harsh treatment from Premier League defenders as Arsenal fight for the ultimate price.

Asked about he he picks himself up and goes again after getting kicked by a defender, Saka who currently has 14 goals and eight assists, revealed: “The hunger to win keeps me going. That’s why I keep getting up. Sometimes it’s not nice, but it’s part of it.

“There’s two elements. The first is the defenders can’t do that all game. They will get yellow carded and then have to stop. The second is, as an attacking player, you are in the team to score goals, create goals. Part of that is going to involve having to beat defenders, and, yeah, they’re going to try their best to stop you.

“One way they like to stop you is kicking you. But just because you get a kick, you can’t hide away and not do that. Because that is what you are in the team to do. I feel like I’m physically much stronger than four or five years ago. I have more experience, in terms of which tackles to go for and which to jump to avoid a big tackle.

“So I’m much smarter as well as physically stronger than I was.”

Arsenal will continue their quest for the Premier League title when they face off with Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.