ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has backed Bukayo Saka to continue taking the side’s penalties despite the England forward’s costly miss against West Ham last weekend.
Saka failed to convert from the spot with Arsenal leading 2-1, only for West Ham to equalise and force a 2-2 draw.
The result cut the gap between Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League title race to four points, with the champions having one game in hand.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta insisted Saka will remain Arsenal’s designated penalty taker.
“Yes. If he is on the pitch we will throw him the ball and make sure he takes the next one,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference yesterday when asked if Saka would take Arsenal’s next penalty.
“That’s the way he is. He loves the responsibility but as well he puts a lot on his shoulders.
“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.”
That was not the first time Saka would miss a crucial penalty that cost his team.
The 21-year-old, born in London to Nigerian parents, missed for England in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, who went on to win the competition.
Still, Arteta has confidence in the forward and believes the experience will make him stronger.
“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,” Arteta 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.”
