Who is Arsenal’s penalty-taker in 2023-24? Mikel Arteta has ‘no clue’ after seeing Martin Odegaard step up ahead of Bukayo Saka against Crystal Palace

The Gunners edged their way to a 1-0 derby win over London rivals Palace at Selhurst Park courtesy of a solitary strike from their club captain. Odegaard held his nerve from 12 yards after seeing Eddie Nketiah tripped inside the box by Sam Johnstone following a quick free-kick from Gabriel Martinelli.

Bukayo Saka has often been the go-to option for Arsenal when it comes to penalty duty, but the England international winger was happy to step aside and let his skipper take over versus Palace. That was not a decision that Arteta was involved in, with players being allowed to determine a pecking order among themselves.

Arteta told reporters when asked who is first in line for spot-kicks in 2023-24: “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. 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.”

Arsenal have, after falling narrowly short in their Premier League title bid last season, taken six points from their opening two games this term – with a hard-fought victory secured over Palace despite seeing Takehiro Tomiyasu sent off after collecting two contentious yellow cards.