After Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival at Arsenal, there is a bit of uncertainty with regards to who will take penalties this season.
Under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons, Bukayo Saka has predominantly been Arsenal’s penalty taker.
And after missing a crucial penalty at Euro 2020 for England, Saka certainly didn’t shy away from taking spot-kicks thereafter.
The England international returned to Arsenal and he proved his mental resilience, and Saka now has a fine penalty record for the Gunners.
And although Martin Odegaard now chips in with one or two strikes from 12 yards himself, Saka has been considered Arsenal’s main taker – that was before Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival.
Viktor Gyokeres will replace Bukayo Saka as Arsenal’s penalty taker
In total last season, Arsenal earned eight penalties across all competitions.
And whilst Saka scored more than he missed, the Gunners only managed to score half of their spot-kicks during normal time.
That being said, and after Viktor Gyokeres’ quiet Arsenal debut against Manchester United, it seems as if change is afoot in north London.
As according to Swedish source Sportbladet, who were very clued in when it came to Gyokeres’ transfer to Arsenal, it’s claimed that the former Sporting CP striker will be Arteta’s new penalty taker.
Viktor Gyokeres hits his famous celebration for Arsenal in pre-season.
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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The journalist who wrote the report, Daniel Kristofferson, was praised for his inside scoop when it came to Gyokeres’ transfer to north London.
And in his latest report, Kristoffersson simply wrote that Gyokeres was ‘selected as penalty taker for the club for the upcoming season’.
Of course, if Gyokeres isn’t on the pitch, that responsibility may still fall to Saka or Odegaard, but it seems as if the Swedish striker will get the chance to continue his excellent record from the spot.
Viktor Gyokeres had a superb penalty record for Sporting CP
If Arsenal do install Gyokeres as their new penalty taker as the report suggests, it does seem like a logical decision for Arteta to make.
Goals breed confidence for strikers, and if Gyokeres is able to add five to 10 more a season from the spot, that’s only going to help.
And although Saka has a superb penalty record in his career so far, Gyokeres’ is even better.
Penalties scored Penalties missed Success %
Bukayo Saka 14 3 82
Viktor Gyokeres 34 4 89
Saka and Gyokeres’ penalty record so far in their career (source: Transfermarkt)
Of course, this is bound to be a fluid situation and it’s not going to be the case that Saka never takes a penalty for Arsenal again.
But there seems to be sufficient evidence to support the idea that Gyokeres should come in and take responsibility up top.
Gyokeres endured a tough debut for Arsenal as explained, but the striker did also show glimpses of his pace and power, especially when getting the better of Matthijs De Ligt.
And Arteta will surely be delighted to have a different type of striker at his disposal.