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Viktor Gyokeres scored his seventh Arsenal goal against Everton on Saturday, with his first-half penalty the difference between the two sides
Viktor Gyokeres has revealed Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard let him take the Arsenal penalty against Everton on Saturday night after the trio had a conversation on the pitch.
Gyokeres’ first-half penalty – his first goal in six games – was enough to restore the Gunners’ two-point cushion at the top of the Premier League to ensure the north Londoners remain top at Christmas.
Everton’s Jake O’Brien handled in the box and the Swede made no mistake from the spot, scoring his seventh goal in Arsenal colours. After the match, the 27-year-old said: "Good, of course. It was a tough win away from home, but we took the three points and it was nice to score a goal.
"We spoke a little bit on the pitch. It was an easy talk and then I took it. To be fair, a few months ago I took one, and it was nice to take one again and to score.
"We don't think about it too much, we just wait for the decision. Then you know it's a penalty and you just wait for the normal procedure. Nothing special, really."
Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi hit the woodwork on Merseyside, while Saka saw his goal-bound effort blocked on the line by James Tarkowski. It meant it was a nervy finish for the Gunners but Gyokeres insists getting the three points is all that matters.
"It was a tough game but it would have been good if we had scored a few more goals, because then you can control it a bit more," the striker said.
"When it's only 1-0, it can be a bit stressful at times in the end. Of course, we would have liked to convert those chances we had, but we won in the end so that's the most important thing."
He added: "It's always a good feeling to win football matches and to be top of the table, but it doesn't mean so much because it's a long way to go and [there are] a lot of games still to play.
"But we still have a lot of games around Christmas, so of course I will enjoy it... but not too much!"
On Gyokeres taking the penalty, Arteta said: “Great decision. Very happy for him.
“They took ownership on the pitch between Martin, Bukayo and him and decided who was the taker and he put the ball in the of the net. I love it when players take ownership and make the decision themselves.
“(It showed) the confidence of the player who practises every day and is unbelievable at it.”
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