Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, has explained the reasoning behind club captain Martin Ødegaard taking a penalty during the Gunners’ 5-2 victory over West Ham on Saturday, November 30.
With the win, Arsenal climbed to second place in the Premier League standings.
Mikel Arteta’s side came out strong, demolishing their London rivals with four goals in a blistering 26-minute spell in the first half. Saka and Ødegaard were pivotal in the team’s attacking play.
Saka provided the assist for the opening goal with a corner that Gabriel Magalhães headed in at the 10-minute mark. He then linked up with Ødegaard to set up Leandro Trossard for the second goal in the 27th minute.
Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute, and though Saka is typically the first-choice taker, he stepped aside, allowing Ødegaard to take the spot kick, which he converted without hesitation.
After the match, Saka shared that it was Ødegaard’s decision to take the penalty, adding, “Ødegaard wanted to take the penalty… I’m more than happy to give him the ball! He always gives me the ball, so we have the good connection. Martin is a top player, he’s been playing so good since he came back,” as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Since his return from injury in November, Ødegaard has been in excellent form, with the Gunners remaining unbeaten during that stretch.
The Norwegian midfielder now has a goal and two assists in six league appearances this season.
Saka also got on the scoresheet, converting a penalty in first-half added time (45+5) to extend Arsenal’s lead to 5-2. The 23-year-old now boasts five goals and 10 assists in 12 league matches this season.
Arsenal delivered a dominant performance, claiming a 5-2 victory over West Ham in a high-scoring Premier League encounter.
All the goals came in the first half, marking the highest-scoring first half in the Premier League since 2012.
Gabriel Magalhães gave Arsenal the lead with a header from a corner in the 10th minute. Saka then set up Trossard for the second goal in the 27th minute. Ødegaard converted from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, and Kai Havertz added a fourth just two minutes later.
West Ham responded with goals from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 38th minute, and Emerson Palmieri, 40th minute.
Saka’s penalty in added time completed the scoring, securing the win for Arsenal.
