Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has opened up on Bukayo Saka’s missed penalty in his side’s 2-2 draw with West Ham United on Sunday.
For the second game in succession, the Gunners blew a two-goal lead and were lucky not to lose as the Hammers came from behind to snatch a point that has now impacted the title race a great deal.
The story could have been much different for Arsenal as Bukayo Saka failed to increase the Gunners’ lead, with the game still at 2-1. The 21-year-old sent his effort from the spot wide and Arsenal were made to pay for that miss dearly as the Hammers equalized minutes later.
That miss meant Saka has now missed his first penalty for Arsenal, scoring his previous four. It would not be the first time the forward has been in such a situation though, having suffered the same fate with England after missing a penalty at the Euro 2020 final.
Saka bounced back in style for that miss to show he remains a top player and Mikel Arteta is expecting more of the same from the Gunners’ talisman, while clearly stating that the youngster remains Arsenal’s penalty taker while he is on the pitch.
Saka remains Arsenal’s penalty taker, says Arteta
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Friday clash with Southampton in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta has said that Saka can only take positives from such incidents.
“That’s the way he is. He loves the responsibility but as well he puts a lot on his shoulders,” he said. “If he had any doubt about how much people loved or respected him or admired him at the club, he had a very overwhelming reaction from everybody in the building and at the club.
“I think at the end of this, it can be something very positive that can give him a big lift because everyone reacted in an unbelievable way towards him because he deserves it because of the way he is.”
“Experiences help obviously, and what he went through in a way was tough, but in a different way it was beautiful and a great experience for him,” he added. “I think that helped him – not only him, but the people around him, to understand what the reaction has to be and the support and protection that he needs. We go again.”
With Manchester City turning their focus to the FA Cup this weekend, Arsenal must take the initiative to gain further ground in the Premier League and increase their lead by up to seven points, before the all-important highly-anticipated clash against City themselves next Wednesday.
