Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has joked that he wanted to slap Bukayo Saka following his penalty miss during the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the second-leg of UEFA Champions League quarter final.
The Gunners were ahead 3-0 from the first leg following Declan Rice’s two incredible free kicks at the Emirates Stadium last week.
French referee Francois Letexier gave the Gunners a spot-kick in the 13th minute after Mikel Merino was pulled down by Raul Asencio at a corner, giving them the opportunity to put their high-profile match against the Champions League holders firmly out of reach on Wednesday night.
Saka missed the opportunity to give Arsenal the lead early on and gave a psychological hope to Los Blancos’ chances at “La Remontada,” as Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois easily stopped his chipped Panenka penalty attempt.
See Also: Ancelotti To Leave Real Madrid After Copa Del Rey Final
“I didn’t want to die but maybe I wanted to slap him,” Arteta joked after the game when asked about Saka’s penalty as reported by The Evening Standard.
“He made that decision, he was bold enough to do it and he missed. I was more concerned about the emotional part. What it could do for us.”
Saka’s miss, though, didn’t really matter as the England winger swiftly moved beyond the setback and gave Arsenal the lead in the second half with a far better lofted effort that beat the charging Courtois after Merino had played him in.
Two minutes later, Vinicius Jr. gave Madrid the equalizer after a costly mistake by William Saliba. But Arsenal maintained composure to defeat Madrid 2-1 thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal, which Merino also set up.
COMMENTS