Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to be dropped from role, following new signing's arrival: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering dropping Bukayo Saka from one of his key roles in the team, specifically the penalty-taking duty, in favor of new signing Viktor Gyokeres. This decision follows Arsenal's 1-0 season-opening win against Manchester United, despite Saka's uninspiring performance.

Saka, ranked as the fourth-best right winger globally by FourFourTwo, has evolved from an academy product to Arsenal's most crucial player. The team's form notably declined last season when he suffered a serious hamstring injury. To address this, Arteta has strengthened the frontline by signing Noni Madueke to support the right wing and Viktor Gyokeres as a forward option.

According to reports from Sweden, Gyokeres is set to take over as the primary penalty taker for the upcoming season, having successfully converted all 20 penalties he took last term for Sporting. In contrast, Saka has taken 14 penalties in his senior career at Arsenal, assuming the role in 2021 after missing a decisive penalty for England in the Euro 2020 final.

Since 2021, Saka has only failed to score from the spot twice: against West Ham United in 2023 and earlier this year against Real Madrid, where his Panenka attempt was saved. While his recent casual approach may have influenced Arteta's reconsideration, the situation is nuanced; Arsenal previously signed penalty specialist Jorginho, who never took a spot-kick during his two years at the club, as Saka remained the preferred choice.