According to the Daily Mail, Mikel Arteta and Josh Kroenke have both reached out to Arsenal wonderkid Bukayo Saka after his penalty heartache with England.
England’s Euro 2020 final with Italy went all the way to penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium, with the Three Lions coming up short.
Marcus Rashford hit the post, Jason Sancho had his effort saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Saka, with the fifth and final penalty, suffered the same fate.
Many were surprised to see 19-year-old Saka stepping up from the spot with such an important penalty; he’s young, inexperienced on the international stage and has no real record as a penalty taker.
He still showed the guts to walk up and take one, and he should be commended for that rather than receiving some of the abuse directed at him.
Arsenal are now rallying around Saka, and it’s stated that boss Mikel Arteta and director Kroenke have both contacted Saka in the aftermath of his penalty woe.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and academy boss Per Mertesacker have also got in touch with Saka, as have a number of Arsenal players.
The Gunners have a duty of care with Saka, and it’s great to see that they’re making such an effort to check in on him and deal with Sunday’s situation.
Hopefully Saka can come back stronger from this, as he is a sensational talent for club and country. Saka’s progress shouldn’t be derailed by one spot kick, and Arsenal are working hard to look after him.
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