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Mikel Arteta Eyes Viktor Gyökeres as Arsenal’s New Penalty Specialist

A shift in responsibility may be underway at Arsenal, as manager Mikel Arteta hints at making Viktor Gyökeres the team’s primary penalty taker. Traditionally, this role has been filled by Bukayo Saka, with occasional appearances by captain Martin Ødegaard.

However, Gyökeres’ impressive track record with penalties seems to have caught Arteta’s attention. In a recent interview with ESPN Brazil, Arteta was questioned about his team’s best penalty taker. Without hesitation, he replied, “Gyokeres.” This decisive response indicates a possible change in Arsenal’s penalty-taking hierarchy.

Gyökeres’ credentials from last season are certainly persuasive. The forward successfully converted an impressive 19 spot kicks, showcasing his composure and accuracy from the penalty spot. In comparison, Saka has missed only two of his 14 penalties taken in club football, excluding penalty shootouts.

While Saka’s record is respectable, Gyökeres’ exceptional performance may have convinced Arteta to reassess his team’s penalty-taking strategy. As Arsenal prepares for the upcoming season, this potential change could have significant implications for the team’s goal-scoring fortunes.

Arteta’s consideration of Gyökeres as the primary penalty taker also highlights the Swedish international’s growing influence within the team. Having joined Arsenal from Sporting CP this summer, Gyökeres has already started making waves with his impressive skills and goal-scoring prowess.

As the new season approaches, Arsenal fans will be eager to see how this potential change affects the team’s performance. With Arteta’s tactical acumen and Gyökeres’ exceptional penalty-taking skills, the Gunners may be on the verge of unlocking a new and potent attacking threat.