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Immediately after Saka missed from the spot, Hammers scored and went ahead to claim a point from a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed Bukayo Saka received a lot of love despite missing a Premier League penalty against West Ham United.
Saka is Arsenal’s designated penalty taker, and when they won a 52nd minute penalty at London Stadium, he rose to take his duty but ended up missing.
"He loves the responsibility, but as well he puts a lot on his shoulders," Arteta said.
"If he had any doubt about how much people loved, respected, or admired him at the club, he had a very overwhelming reaction from everybody in the building and at the club.
"I think at the end of this, it can be something very positive that can give him a big lift because everyone reacted in an unbelievable way towards him because he deserves it because of the way he is."
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17:20 - 20.04.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Arteta answers Henry after his emotional jibe at Arsenal
Henry claimed he was not so assured by his former club's inability to control themselves.
The miss against the Hammers will go down as another learning curve in Bukayo’s journey, according to Mikel.
"Experiences help, obviously, and what he went through in a way was tough, but in a different way, it was beautiful and a great experience for him," he added.
"I think that helped him - not only him, but the people around him, to understand what the reaction has to be and the support and protection that he needs. We go again."
After Arsenal failed to win their previous games, they saw the gap between them and Manchester City reduced to four. Arteta believes his players can get their confidence back and return to winning ways.
"Twists and turns are part of anything you do, especially in football," Arteta said, reflecting on the two previous games.
"Whatever the aim or the target is, it is not going to go in a linear progression. You have to know that and prepare for that, and the way the team reacted this week is incredibly positive, and we want to see that tomorrow night.
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10:45 - 20.04.2023
FOOTBALL ‘This is what Arsenal must get rid of to win Premier League’ – Pessimistic Henry
The former Gunners’ striker has also pointed out valuable a lesson they can learn from City.
"Every game is an opportunity to improve as a team, and every game has different gifts. Those gifts are what you take, what you learn, and how you improve as a team."
The league leaders face Southampton on Friday.
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