Mikel Arteta admitted he felt a strong emotional reaction when Bukayo Saka missed a first-half penalty during Arsenal’s Champions League win over Real Madrid, joking that he “felt like slapping” the winger after the failed attempt.
Following a dominant 3-0 first-leg win in north London, Arsenal had an early chance to strengthen their lead at the Bernabeu when Mikel Merino was brought down in the box by Raul Asencio. Saka, typically reliable from the spot, opted for a cheeky Panenka which was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
The miss sparked a heated exchange between Saka and Dani Carvajal at halftime, but the young forward bounced back to score in the 65th minute, extending Arsenal’s overall lead to 4-0.
Although Vinicius Jr quickly responded with a goal for Madrid, Arsenal kept their composure, and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the victory in stoppage time, securing a landmark win on Spanish soil.
Reflecting on Saka’s penalty miss, Arteta confessed he was concerned about how it might affect his young star’s confidence.
“I almost felt like slapping him,” he told reporters with a laugh. “It was his call, and I worried about the emotional impact it could have had.”
Arteta continued, praising Saka’s maturity and resilience: “He took responsibility, and even though he missed, he bounced back impressively. The way he performed afterward, especially at his age and playing at the Bernabeu for the first time, was exceptional.”
Arsenal now prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, following PSG’s narrow aggregate win over Aston Villa.
Arteta highlighted the club’s progress: “This is a huge step. Where we were last season and where we are now, with the level of attention and competition around us, is amazing.”
He also commended Real Madrid: “Coaching here for the first time, I saw just how unpredictable and intense this stadium can be. They thrive on creating chaos and belief—it’s tough to fully understand or control the game in that environment.”
“But I think our team showed great maturity throughout.”
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