Bukayo Saka has been named PFA Fans' player of the month for March. The 20-year-old had a sensational month scoring himself and assisting Martin Odegaard in the 3-2 victory over Watford, before scoring the crucial goal in a tense 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The England international has enjoyed a terrific season after experiencing the heartbreak of missing the decisive penalty in the EURO 2020 final against Italy and has gained plenty of praise from manager Mikel Arteta. "I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him," the Spaniard said.
"That's another thing you get much more than that in football apart from winning trophies, so I think that was a big boost for him to realise in difficult moments that people are going to give him support and the club did exactly the same as his team mates."
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The award is made all the more special by the fact that he beat off competition from several big names to secure it. Brentford's Ivan Toney was in the running, while Chelsea star Kai Havertz and Tottenham striker Harry Kane were both shortlisted after impressive months of their own.
March was not without its controversies for Saka though. After being forced off due to an ankle injury that he sustained following a tackle with Tyrone Mings during the win over Aston Villa, the Hale Ender revealed that he spoke to referee Andy Madley about getting more protection from such hefty challenges.
“I wasn’t obviously complaining,” Saka said after the game. “But I just wanted to let him (the referee) know that that’s my game. I’m going to run at players and sometimes I need a bit more protection when players are purposefully trying to kick me. So that’s what I was letting them know.”
This prompted an angry reaction from Villa boss Steven Gerrard, who stated that he felt Saka had no right to complain. “It’s part of the game,” the former Liverpool midfielder said. “The last time I checked it’s not a no-contact sport. I think tackles are allowed, physicality’s allowed.
“He’s a good player, he’s an outstanding talent and I love him. But he can’t complain about that side. That’s football. I’m sitting here now with screws in my hips, I’ve had about 16 operations, and I’m struggling to go to the gym at the moment. That’s all on the back of earning a living in English football. He’ll learn and he’ll learn quick.”
As his impressive form continues Arsenal are intent on tying Saka down to a longer-term contract at the Emirates. The Hale Ender currently has one year left on his deal, although the Gunners have the option to trigger a one-year extension. football.london understands that conversations are expected to take place over a renewal this summer.
“It is a conversation we are going to have with the player, then his agent, his family — [talks] which are going to be extremely important as well — so everybody is on board," said Arteta in February.
“Obviously, our desire is to keep Bukayo as long as possible, because we are really happy. He is part of our club, our DNA, he is growing, he is maturing. His importance in the team is unquestionable and we want to keep our best talent, that’s for sure.”
