Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most important player.
The Englishman has carried the Gunners since he was a teenager and has helped them become one of the best clubs in Europe.
Saka is a guaranteed starter on the right wing for Arsenal, and that is not expected to change anytime soon under Mikel Arteta.
However, there is something else that is set to change at the Emirates, if a report from Sweden is to be believed.
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in July.
The Gunners made the Swede their top target in this window after deciding that Benjamin Sesko is too expensive, and Andrea Berta sealed a deal after weeks of negotiations.
Gyokeres has been one of the most prolific strikers in the world over the last two seasons, and a few of them came from the penalty spot.
Now, Swedish outlet Sportbladet have revealed that Arteta has decided to make Gyokeres his penalty-taker at Arsenal this season.
Bukayo Saka has been responsible for penalties in recent years, and if the above news is true, we think he will be very upset.
The Englishman hasn’t done a lot wrong from the spot in the famous red and white, and taking that responsibility away from him just because there’s a new striker doesn’t seem fair at all.
Gyokeres is great from the penalty spot, but we still think Arsenal should stick with Saka, who has given them so much over the last few years.
Saka has been the main penalty taker at Arsenal since Alexandre Lacazette left the club.
The Englishman has taken 16 penalties for the Gunners, and he has converted 14. The two he missed came against West Ham United in 2023 and Real Madrid last season.
After his miss against the Irons a couple of years ago, Arteta vowed that he would not take Saka off penalties just because he failed.
When asked if Saka will continue taking the spot-kicks, Arteta said at the time, as per Goal: “Yes. If not, I will go on the pitch and pass him the ball and make sure he takes the next one.”
Arteta stuck to his word at the time, but if he has decided to make Gyokeres his main penalty taker now, he will be breaking a promise.
