Saka’s role is to ‘get kicked and fouled’

Mikel Arteta has backed Bukayo Saka to cope with the rough treatment meted out by opponents but says the Arsenal winger can also learn ways to cope better with being targeted.

The 21-year-old England international has been under the spotlight in recent weeks over a perceived lack of protection from officials and was on the end of some robust challenges in last week's 4-2 win against Aston Villa.

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Arsenal boss Arteta admitted after the win at Villa Park that opposition teams set out to stop his star man, who leads Arsenal in goals and assists.

Despite the crunching tackles, Saka has not missed any of Arsenal's past 65 league games, the longest run in the division, as the league leaders prepare to travel to Leicester on Saturday.

"There is a lot of focus now on Bukayo, and we need to keep that in mind as a team with the plans that we put together, understanding what the opponents are doing, but for sure referees have their responsibilities and they have to do their jobs," Arteta said on Friday.

"If you ask him how it used to be when he was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 -- it isn't very different. Wingers and talented players get kicked and fouled and get the demand to win games and that is the chance he has, that is his role in the team."