Arsenal star Granit Xhaka and club legend Ian Wright have both given their support to Bukayo Saka after he missed a crucial penalty against West Ham on Sunday afternoon. The Hale End graduate stepped up to take a penalty after Michail Antonio was penalised for handling the ball in the penalty area.
Saka put his spot kick wide of the post before Jarrod Bowen equalised for the Hammers two minutes later as Arsenal went on to drop points in the Premier League title race for a second successive match. It was the 21-year-old's first penalty miss for the Gunners and his first setback from the spot since the Euro 2020 final with England.
Manchester City were able to close the gap to just a single point at the top of the table as Arsenal drew against West Ham. The Gunners could extend their lead to four points with a win against Southampton on Friday - with City set to play in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.
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Following the draw against West Ham, Xhaka gave his support to Saka and backed the England international to bounce back immediately. "We don’t need to blame anybody, not Bukayo, not any player," Xhaka said.
"It happens, not only to him but to bigger, bigger players. This is part of the job, part of his career.
"It will not be the first and it will not be the last… so if there is another penalty on Friday (against Southampton), I will push him to take it again. This guy is so young, he’s 21… he needs our support maybe more now than before.
"He is young and this is one more experience for his future. But, I think he is so strong mentally that he will show a reaction on Friday."
Wright joined Xhaka in offering his unequivocal support for Arsenal's 'star boy' and admitted he expects everyone at the club to do the same. "He will always be our starboy no matter what," Wright told The Athletic..
"He has my unequivocal support and I would expect everyone around Arsenal to do the same. Vocal support matters.
"I want him to know we will always rally around him. Then you see the racism.
"As a black player that is always there. It’s not enough to miss the penalty and take the disappointment that comes with that, because as a black player you must also take racist abuse?
“We will keep lifting him up above the hate. Watch our fans on Friday night. He’s going to feel the love. I can tell you that.
"Despite what he has been through he has continued to take responsibility. He can do so again. He has greatness. Just go again, Bukayo."
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