‘I’m not the one to decide’: Martin Odegaard reveals whether he’ll take Arsenal’s next penalty instead of Bukayo Saka or kai Havertz
Martin Odegaard has confirmed he is ready to take on the responsibility of becoming Arsenal’s first choice penalty taker.
Bukayo Saka stepped aside on Monday evening to allow his captain the opportunity to stroke home the winning spot kick as the Gunners continued their 100% start to the new season.
The England international missed from 12 yards against Barcelona in pre-season while his previous penalty against West Ham failed to hit the target and cost his side two valuable points during the run-in.
Oedegaard, meanwhile, scored in the Europa League shootout defeat against Sporting Lisbon last term and was also on target in pre-season against the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Monaco.
Asked if he would step up again were Arsenal to be awarded a penalty against Fulham this afternoon, Odegaard said: ‘I have to thank Bukayo for his part in the decision on the penalty against Palace.
‘It wasn’t something we discussed before the game, but we’d been practising them a lot in pre-season and I scored all of mine, so I was feeling good.
‘As I mentioned in my programme notes for the Nottingham Forest game, I am ready to take them if needed, because I like that responsibility.
‘So when we got the penalty on Monday, me and Bukayo talked and I asked if I could take it.
‘I was feeling good and he gave it to me so thanks a lot to Bukayo for that. The main thing is that I put it in the goal so everyone was happy!
‘So we’ll see what happens next time we get a penalty, we will see who’s feeling good and wants to take it.’
