Arsenal told to 'shut up and stop moaning' as Saka given Messi example

talkSPORT understands the Gunners have held conversations with Premier League's refereeing body [PGMOL] about what they deem to be rough treatment of their star man.

Saka was the Premier League's third-most fouled player in 2023 after being brought down 87 times in the competition.

The only players who were fouled more in that calendar year were Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace (117) and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (92).

But upon hearing of these conversations, Aston Villa legend Agbonlahor believes that Saka's treatment should be seen as a compliment, comparing him to Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Speaking on The Sports Breakfast, Agbonlahor said: "Shut up, stop moaning. It's all you hear off Arteta and Arsenal - get on with it, it's football.

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"Back in your day, you used to get fouled every time you got the ball. Look at the clips of Maradona, he used to get two-footed in the chest!

"Two-footed in the chest, no yellow card, play on.

"Messi - kicked, kicked, kicked - he just gets up, takes a quick free-kick and gets on with it.

"Honestly, just stop moaning. Get on with your game.

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"Yes, Saka might get fouled a lot but that's because he's a top player and people have got to stop you.

"I got kicked but I just got on with it. If you weren't a good player you wouldn't be getting fouled so much.

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"Managers will say to take it in turns to get a yellow card to stop that player. I'm sure they do that with top, top players.

"So Arsenal, get on with it. Arteta and whoever is moaning, stop moaning."