Arsenal's Bukayo Saka reveals the why with Odegaard penalty

Bukayo Saka has revealed why Martin Odegaard took the first-half penalty against West Ham.

Arsenal ripped apart West Ham in a devastating first-half display, which paved the way to a dominant 5-2 win.

Gabriel and Leandro Trossard got things going as the Gunners went 2-0 inside 30 minutes and with Arsenal cruising, Bukayo Saka was brought down in the area by Lucas Paqueta. Most thought that given Saka is the Gunners' designated penalty kick taker, that No. 7 would step up.

But it was captain Martin Odegaard who took the kick, and converted to give Arsenal a 3-0, and it left some wondering why Bukayo didn't take the penalty.

Well, he revealed post-game why the skipper stepped up.

"It was nice," Saka said to Sky Sports via Goal.com. "Martin is a top player, he's been playing so good since he came back. He wanted to take the penalty to score today. I'm more than happy to give him the ball because he always gives me the ball. We have a good connection so let's just keep this form going."

So, it was just a big nothing burger. Odegaard wanted to take it, and Saka let him.

In the end, the 5-2 win moved Arsenal to second in the league table, but with Liverpool defeating Manchester City 2-0, the Reds now move back nine points clear at the summit of the Premier League.

With the Gunners reeling prior to the international break, it appears that the much-maligned period of the season proved hugely beneficial to Arsenal...for once.

Often seen as a reason for dread, given the number of first-team stars who have been injured and therefore unavailable for league action, this time, it worked in reverse.

It allowed those who were injured to get back healthy, plus those who were playing with little knocks to get 100 percent fit - and the results have been startling.

The Gunners have rattled off three consecutive wins and have scored 13 goals in that period and while on face value that looks great, it has been the manner in which Arsenal has won which will give fans hope that the team has turned a corner.

Arsenal has battered Nottingham Forest, Sporting CP and now West Ham to return to the dominant side it once was at the start of the season.

Up next is a Manchester United side who will be without Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, so there is a chance for the Gunners to consolidate their form.

Oh, and if a penalty is awarded, we bet Bukayo takes it.

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