Bukayo Saka will be hoping to enjoy his most productive season for Arsenal yet this term, although Mikel Arteta’s latest comments may hinder him somewhat on this front.
The Gunners’ talisman spent a large portion of the 2024/25 campaign on the sidelines due to a severe hamstring injury.
Despite this, he still finished the season with 12 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, indicating that he could enjoy an outrageously productive year if he remains fit.
However, Arsenal have signed Noni Madueke for £52 million, meaning there is more competition for places at the Emirates, and his minutes could decrease to an extent.
Mikel Arteta says Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal’s best penalty taker
Viktor Gyokeres completed his move to Arsenal in July, joining from Sporting CP for £63 million.
The Swede scored an astounding 54 goals in 52 games for the Portuguese giants last season, with his tally over two years in Lisbon standing at 97 in 102 matches.
In this time, Gyokeres took 21 penalties in the Primeira Liga and in European competition, converting 20 of these spot-kicks.
Asked by ESPN Brazil who Arsenal’s best penalty taker is, Mikel Arteta promptly responded: “Gyokeres”.
Saka has been Arsenal’s go-to man from 12 yards in recent seasons.
However, with Gyokeres now at the North London club and Arteta publicising who he believes to be the most effective player in his squad from these situations, the England international is likely to lose his position as the default penalty taker.
Saka will no doubt be frustrated by this, given it could knock five or six goals off his tally across the duration of the season.
Comparing Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty statistics
Ultimately, the data should dictate who is a team’s primary penalty taker.
Despite assuming this role in recent seasons and doing a relatively impressive job, Saka’s record isn’t quite as good as Gyokeres’.
The Hale End graduate has taken 14 penalty kicks in his senior career, not including those taken in shootouts, converting 12 of them.
Meanwhile, Gyokeres, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has taken 34 and scored 31.
| Viktor Gyokeres vs Bukayo Saka Penalty History | ||
| Stat | Saka | Gyokeres |
| Penalties Taken | 14 | 34 |
| Penalties Scored | 12 | 31 |
| Penalties Missed | 2 | 3 |
| Conversion Rate | 86% | 91% |
This gives the striker a 91% conversion rate, compared to Saka’s 86%, thus meaning the 27-year-old should be Arsenal’s designated taker from 12 yards.
That said, Saka remains an above-average penalty taker and should still be considered second in line on this front.
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