Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has refused to complain about increasingly rough treatment from defenders, insisting he takes it as a compliment.
He told beIN Sports: 'I've learned a lot over the last few season when I've started to get more and more tackles and defenders have started to enjoy more and more kicking me.
'I spoke to a few defenders and now I understand it. So for me when I see a defender trying to smash me. As long as he doesn't get me I'm laughing or I'm smiling because I take it as a compliment.
'You know I don't think a defender would be calling for help or would want to smash me if he didn't see me as a threat.
So for me if he tries to smash me and I get away with it i just laugh and get on with the game because i guess it's part of it.
'The defender is only trying to do his job and protect his goal and I'm only trying to do my job and get towards his goal. I'm only trying to do my job and get towards his goal.
'We're all just trying to do our best for the team. I just try and keep my temper because I know when I do lose my head I don't play well.
'I'm not gonna say names because I feel like those conversations should stay between me and them but I've had a few conversations with opposition and even sometimes the players here.
'When I ask them like 'why are you guys like this? why do you want to smash players' They explain to me so I understand. Once I understand I think it's easy for me to get on with it more.
'As long as no one tackles me really really badly because obviously i don't want to be injured or playing through pain. I think it's not something I want to come on here and complain about because it's just gonna get worse if I do.
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