‘Not my day’: Bukayo Saka breaks silence after missing penalty that cost the 3 points against West Ham
Bukayo Saka has broken his silence after missing a penalty against West Ham as Arsenal dropped two points at the London Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners raced into an early two-goal lead but could not hold on as the hosts secured a 2-2 draw in a boost to Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Saka could have put Arsenal 3-1 up in the 52nd minute but missed his spot kick as West Ham equalised just moments later.
It means Arsenal are now just four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand and host Mikel Arteta’s team on April 26.
‘Regardless of the outcome, I’ll always accept my responsibility,’ Saka posted on Instagram. ‘Apologies Gunners, I’ll do everything I can to make it right.’
His manager Mikel Arteta said after the game: ‘A player who takes penalties misses penalties, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t.
‘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.’
Saka has enjoyed a fantastic season for Arsenal, registering 12 goals and 10 assists to help the north London club climb to the top of the table.
He became the first Premier League player to reach double figures in goals and assists this term and is the first Arsenal player to do so since Alexis Sanchez in 2016-17.
The 21-year-old, who progressed through the club’s youth academy, has been named Arsenal’s Player of the Season for the last two campaigns in a row.
Roy Keane is expecting Saka to bounce back as he told Sky Sports: ‘We’ve seen great players miss penalties.
‘It’s pressure, as simple as that. He’s a brilliant player (Saka) and he’ll respond to that as he always does. It’s a big point for West Ham and they deserved it in the second half.’
