Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hailed the mentality of Bukayo Saka to bounce back from Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out heartbreak, while he implored the Gunners to capitalise in the top-four race.
Saka missed the decisive spot-kick for England against Italy in early July, leading to a wave of online racial abuse towards him and international colleagues Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Arteta previously suggested the penalty failure would aid Saka's development and resilience, and the 20-year-old has supported his manager's comments with his best Premier League season to date.
Saka has scored 11 times in the league and assisted five more as Arsenal battle with Tottenham for the final Champions League qualification spot, while he has made amends from the penalty spot in recent weeks.
Indeed, he became the youngest player ever to score a penalty in consecutive Premier League appearances following spot-kicks against Chelsea and Manchester United in the last two games.
Arteta confirmed Saka will again be on penalty duties should the chance arise at West Ham on Sunday as the Spaniard heaped praise on the England international.
"Well, if someone has to take a penalty, he will take it," Arteta told reporters at a pre-match news conference on Friday.
"Again, but it happened quite naturally in the Chelsea game, he took it and the next game we had another one and hopefully he can continue to put the ball in the back of the net.
"The first two conversations that I had [with him] it was straight after the incident [at Euro 2020], but Gareth Southgate was really helpful as well because he had Bukayo in his hands at that moment and they were really caring and really supportive of him, so by the time he joined us, he was in a really good place.
"Obviously, he got all this support and love and help in any way that he needed it to overcome that situation and then it's down to him and his family around him that were very helpful for him."
Arsenal have been inspired by their younger players this season, with Emile Smith Rowe just the second Gunner to score 10 or more Premier League goals in a season, after Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99 (17).
Fellow youngster Eddie Nketiah also netted twice to guide Arsenal past Chelsea earlier in the month, and Arteta believes club experience helps his youthful squad when they go on international duty.
"I think they're doing it at their clubs and that's really, really important so again, the step of demands is not that high, they are already key and important players in their own clubs," he added.
"So they're used to that pressure and at international level it's something very different, but I think they have the maturity and they have the capacity to sustain that level under pressure because they're doing it every week at their clubs."
Arteta will be hoping his young Gunners can deliver again when Arsenal visit fellow top-four chasers West Ham on Sunday, looking to improve on their two-point lead over fifth-placed Tottenham.
However, the Arsenal manager warned to expect more changes heading into the final weeks of the season as teams battle for European football next campaign.
Asked whether the fight for fourth place was a two-horse race, he responded: "I don't think so, there will still be some twists and turns, we all have difficult matches to play.
"We all know how difficult it is to win games in the Premier League and now we had two really good results that put us in a really good position. But it is about doing it again at West Ham.
"I think in the league when you are able to win consecutively away and at home, it gives you a huge platform and things quickly change.
"We have some momentum now and we want to make the most out of it."
West Ham manager Paul Konchesky leaves the club following end of WSL season
Paul Konchesky has left his position as West Ham manager after the Women’s Super League season ended on Saturday.
The former England defender, who made 70 appearances for the Hammers, was promoted from assistant in May 2022 when boss Olli Harder departed the club.
Konchesky signed a two-year deal, but has left the Hammers after just 29 games in charge, with the club finishing eighth in the WSL table following a 2-2 draw at home to London rivals Tottenham in their final match of the campaign.
“I am proud and honoured to have had the opportunity to manage this club,” Konchesky told the club’s official website.
“My players and my staff have always given me 100 per cent and while some of our results have been disappointing this season, we still have a lot to be proud of, including reaching the semi-final of the Conti Cup. I wish the club well for the future.”
West Ham Women general manager Aidan Boxall said: “We would like to thank Paul for his contribution to the club, both as manager and during his spell as assistant manager.
“He has played a key role in the ongoing development of the women’s team and we wish him well for the future.”
Ethan Pinnock signs new four-year contract at Brentford
Ethan Pinnock has signed a new four-year contract at Brentford.
The defender, who turns 30 on Monday, will now stay with the Bees until the summer of 2027.
Pinnock joined Brentford from Barnsley in 2019 and has made 153 appearances for the club.
Bees boss Thomas Frank told the club’s official website: “This is great news for Brentford and I am incredibly pleased that we have Ethan with us for four more years, I am sure our fans are delighted.
“Ethan has been a mountain in defence for us for the last four years. He played a key role in our journey to the top half of the Premier League. He is a top, top player and a great person.
“He has stepped seamlessly in the Premier League and it is an amazing story for him, and for football, that he can progress from non-league to the top of the game so quickly.
“He has proven himself to be a typical Brentford signing, he meets every challenge he faces and we think there is still more development for him.
“Ethan has been so reliable and consistent for us and I am sure that will continue. He will be spending the prime years of his career with us and we look forward to him helping the team be successful in the coming seasons.”
Luton’s Tom Lockyer thanks medical staff for ‘swift response’ after collapse
Luton captain Tom Lockyer has thanked medical staff for their “swift and thorough response” after collapsing during his side’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final victory against Coventry.
The defender fell to the floor while running back during the match and received treatment before being carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
The game went to penalties after Jordan Clark’s opener was cancelled out by Gustavo Hamer to finish 1-1 after extra time, and the Hatters secured Premier League football for next season with a 6-5 victory on penalties.
Luton players held up Lockyer’s shirt throughout their celebrations and the captain posted an update on Instagram.
He said: “Well not quite where I thought I’d be celebrating at the final whistle!
View this post on Instagram“I would just like to say a massive thank you to the amazing physios and doctors at Luton and Wembley for the swift and thorough response.
“A much scarier moment for everyone else than myself I am sure!
“Commiserations to Coventry a fantastic opponent over 3 games which had to be decided by penalties.
“I am currently in hospital under precaution and will stay here overnight for further tests in the morning.
“I am feeling very much myself, helped by the way the lads left it all out on pitch! It’s such an honour to be part of this team.. Premier League baby.”
A thrilling finale at Wembley saw victory secure a return to the top flight for Luton for the first time since 1992.
It is a remarkable turnaround given just nine years ago the Hatters ended a five-season stretch in the fifth tier, but manager Rob Edwards admitted emotions were “mixed” afterwards following Lockyer’s collapse.
“I felt a bit numb. I just made sure I shook Mark’s hand and his staff,” Edwards said.
“I don’t want to be that guy that just starts running off and celebrating before I’ve seen the other manager.
“I just felt very numb. I still do. It hasn’t sunk in quite yet. It might take a few days, but it’s great. It does feel good.
“It was mixed because of Locks (Lockyer), that’s why I couldn’t really go for it celebrating.”
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