Arteta reacts as Odegaard takes penalty vs Crystal Palace

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta in a post-natch statement said he was surprised over Martin Odegaard’s decision to take the spot kick during their victory over Crystal Palace on Monday.

Arteta revealed he never expected to see his captain step up to take the spot after Eddie Nketiah was brought down in the area by Sam Johnstone.

Odegaard took the penalty, instead of the usual taker Bukayo Saka, that gave the Gunners their 1-0 win.

In a post-match statement with the press, Arteta was asked if it was a conscious decision to make Odegaard the designated penalty taker.

The Spaniard said he had played no part in the decision.

“I have no clue, it’s about leadership of players, and if they felt it was the right thing to do, for me I’m fine,” he said.

“They have to make those decisions on the pitch. I was surprised like everybody else, but he scored the goal, which is the important thing and we won the game.”