Arteta defends Saka after missing penalty against West Ham

Arsenal won a penalty in the 50th minute due to a handball by West Ham striker Michail Antonio, who was penalised. This advantage was, however, all in vain, as Saka soon stepped up only to fire the shot wide round Fabianski's right post.

The Gunners could have won 3-2 if the England international had scored but drew 2-2 at the London Stadium. Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta still has faith in the 21-year-old.

The Spaniard spoke about their performances after the match: "If I had to pick one player to do it, it would be him again. In that moment we missed it and this is football.

"If you are prepared to take responsibility of penalties, you have to be prepared that in that package the possibility to miss is 100 per cent. At some point you're going to miss," he added.

"You have be able to react to that after. If you cannot do that then you cannot be a penalty taker. Bukayo has been through that and he will go through that again," Arteta concluded.

In fact, Saka has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists in 40 competitive matches this season.

 

April 16, 2023