Steven Gerrard is one of the best midfielders to grace the English game and he will most likely go on to become an excellent manager to match.
However, the Aston Villa manager's comments about Bukayo Saka after their 1-0 defeat to the Gunners lack understanding of the modern game and those who play it. Saka was repeatedly kicked at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime and walked away from the pitch with a bloody ankle at full time.
"He's a good player, he's an outstanding talent and I love him," said Gerrard. "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, 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."
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Only seven players were fouled more often than Saka (64) last season, and during the match between Everton and Arsenal in December the England international was fouled five times. Football is a contact sport and always will be, but it doesn't excuse aggression being exceeded to levels where players are receiving kicks on the same place multiple times in a game.
Gerrard was known as a warrior in midfield over the years and his mentality always focused around being a driving force for club and country, with an emphasis on aggression in his game. But his comments are hypocritical and show double standards. During his spell as Rangers manager, Gerrard spoke about player protection when his side after a game against Livingston.
“We expect a certain level of protection," said Gerrard. "That is not to take away from what Livingston are trying to do because we accept the fact that that is their style, we respect that. It is none of our business how they play. But when our players are going down with stitches in their nose and 20 stitches across their head, it is my job to protect the players.”
Indeed, it is a manager's job to protect his players and Gerrard may well be better placed to focus on his team's deficiencies rather than an opposing player's concerns. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a different reaction after the game and it's a belief that should be followed by those who want to make the Premier League better for all players within it. "We have to listen to the players," he said. "They are the reason why we are all here."
