Arsenal trailed West Ham United 3-1 after Bukayo Saka missed a penalty kick. The missed penalty cost Arsenal three points, as the Hammers equalized in a similar fashion to Liverpool the week before.
Saka had not missed a penalty kick since the Euro 2020 final. Bukayo received an outpouring of support from fans across the country after missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final, his first major international tournament, and has since scored four goals in five Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka will continue to serve as Arsenal’s penalty taker despite missing from the spot against West Ham, according to Mikel Arteta. In response to a question about whether the forward would still be on penalty duty during Thursday’s press conference, he said:
Yes. If not, I will go on the pitch and pass him the ball and make sure he takes the next one. He loves responsibility but he puts a lot on his shoulders as well. Again, if he had any doubt about how much people love him, respect him and admire him at the club I think he had a very overwhelming reaction from everyone in the building and the club. In the end I think it can be something very positive that can give him a big lift because everyone acted in an unbelievable way towards him because he deserves it because of the way he is.”
Arsenal now leads Manchester City by four points at the top of the Premier League, and Pep Guardiola’s team has a game in hand.
Arsenal will play Southampton next Friday before preparing for their huge match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.
