Bukayo Saka was not fazed by Scott McTominay's attempts to put him off before he scored from the spot for Arsenal at the weekend.
The Gunners winger was handed the opportunity to double his side's lead during the Manchester United victory after the hosts were awarded a penalty. Saka was waiting for the penalty area to clear and had the ball under his arm. McTominay, stood behind him, knocked the ball out.
Saka didn't react and simply picked the ball up off the turf before converting from 12 yards moments later. He sent David de Gea the wrong way and put the north Londoners 2-0 ahead as they went on to secure a 3-1 success, which bolsters Arsenal's top four hopes.
It was Saka's second penalty success in less than a week. He stepped up to take a spot kick in the 4-2 win at Chelsea in midweek. It was the first time the winger had taken the responsibility since missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 shootout defeat with England.
Mikel Arteta hailed his young star for putting his demons to bed in midweek, stating: "When I saw that Bukayo was going to take it, honestly, the first thing I thought was back in the summer and what happened. But again, I said to you guys, when that happened to Bukayo it happened for a reason.
"He learned so much and he’s been through so much that’s why he’s having the season he’s having today. For him to have the courage to say ‘I’m going to take it again’ – because I’m sure it would have been in the back of his mind – for me it’s top order, even if he missed it."
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Saka has continued to establish himself as one of Arsenal's main men as they target a Champions League return and admitted he is not put off by having a host of onlookers. He told the club's website : “I don’t feel the pressure playing in front of a big crowd. However many people are in the stadium, you know that the game is being streamed and there could be millions of people around the world watching you. For me, I’d say I’m my own biggest critic so before anyone else criticises me I’ve already done it myself and told myself to do better. Big crowds don’t faze me.”
McTominay, whose tactics proved in vain, said after the defeat: "Of course, it [the result] is harsh but we lost 3-1. The most imperative thing in football is goals, that's the most important thing in the game of football. If you don't score enough of them, you get punished. It's difficult for me to speak right now. I've got no words to say as I'm absolutely devastated and gutted."
