‘I’d love to see’: Ian Wright suggests surprise name to become Arsenal’s new penalty taker

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Arsenal legend Ian Wright bemoaned his former club’s penalty woes after Alexandre Lacazette’s shot from the spot was saved last night.

That’s now three consecutive penalties that the Gunners have failed to convert in the Premier League. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his strikes against Aston Villa and Watford not too long ago, and Lacazette has now joined the party after Lukasz Fabianski made light work of his shot yesterday.

Mikel Arteta should be worried about his side’s poor record from the spot. Aubameyang and Lacazette are both usually very reliable, but the Arsenal boss may have to make a few changes going forward.

Wright had his say on the situation yesterday and the Englishman has suggested a surprise name to become the Gunners’ new penalty taker.

Ian Wright: I want Granit Xhaka to take penalties for Arsenal

The legendary Gunners striker said on Premier League Productions after the game yesterday, as broadcasted on Optus Sport: “It is a bit of a worry now because Aubameyang is not there to take them, we’ve seen him miss them, (Lacazette) missed that one and it didn’t look very convincing, so I don’t know what they’re going to do now.

“I think Pepe has taken… but he is nowhere near the pitch.

“There is a worry at the minute with Arsenal and penalties, we need to find somebody who is going to come up and put their foot through it.

“Where is Xhaka? I’d love to see Xhaka take a penalty.”

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With Aubameyang, Lacazette and Pepe, Arsenal had three reliable options from the penalty spot. However, with the former now out of the picture, the Frenchman missing yesterday and the latter not getting a game, Arteta will have to consider his options.

Xhaka definitely has the experience at the top level to step up if required, but he has never really been a regular penalty taker. He has scored just twice from the spot in his entire club career, and he famously missed a crucial spot-kick at Euro 2016, which resulted in Switzerland’s exit from the competition.

The Swiss international is an unlikely option, especially with someone like Gabriel Martinelli available. The youngster showed he can handle the pressure of the penalty spot by scoring for Brazil at the Olympics earlier this year. If Arteta wants to switch things around, the ex-Ituano man will likely get the nod.

It will be interesting to see who steps up the next time Arsenal are awarded a penalty.