Alan Shearer has told Match of the Day that Arsenal player Bukayo Saka showed enormous bravery and courage to step up and take a penalty for the Gunners on Wednesday – during their superb 4-2 win over Chelsea.
Saka, 20, netted his tenth goal of the Premier League campaign to secure all three points for Arsenal – a result that firmly plants them back into the top-four race. Arsenal had been leading 3-2, before Saka was fouled himself.
Dragged down by Cesar Azpilicueta in the Blues box, Saka got up himself to send Edouard Mendy the wrong way – his first penalty since missing one in the Euro 2020 final, in which he suffered a mountain of abuse afterwards.
Eddie Nketiah had scored a brace beforehand, and Emile Smith-Rowe scored – while Timo Werner and Azpilicueta scored for Chelsea. But Shearer was full of praise for England star Saka, and the “courage” he showed.
“Courage. That’s his first penalty since he missed one at the Euros. What a future he’s got, what an exciting talent he is. He’s really brave to step up, 10 goals this season – fantastic,” Shearer said on Match of the Day.
Shearer on Saka: Arsenal star is the leader of Arteta’s Gunners
Arsenal have a squad that has a good balance. They have a number of young players that are improving but yet to hit their peak. But the question mark still surrounds the captaincy – who will take over this summer?
Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expires in the summer. Kieran Tierney? Gabriel? Aaron Ramsdale? Martin Odegaard? There is a lion in that Arsenal side, and his name is Saka. His penalty shows he can handle the pressure.
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