Bukayo Saka explains why he took Arsenal penalty over Viktor Gyokeres in West Ham win

Bukayo Saka helped Arsenal defeat West Ham on Saturday

Bukayo Saka insists there was never any doubt he was taking Arsenal's penalty against West Ham over Viktor Gyokeres. The England international winger netted the Gunners' second in their 2-0 triumph over the Hammers on Saturday to mark his 200th Premier League appearance with a goal.

However, when the spot-kick was awarded after El Hadji Malick Diouf had brought Jurrien Timber to ground, there was lingering uncertainty in the stands as to who would be stepping up from 12 yards.

Gyokeres was previously on penalty duty in the 5-0 win over Leeds but Saka was not on the pitch that day after going off with a hamstring injury .

Saka said when asked if he wondered who would be having the penalty: "No, when I grabbed the ball I wanted to take it, so that's what my thoughts were in that moment."

When quizzed on whether he's decided that he'll remain on spot-kicks this season, Saka added: "Erm, we'll keep our conversations in the house for now, I won't say much more!"

Speaking to ESPN Brasil back in August, Mikel Arteta had claimed Gyokeres was the club's best penalty taker.

The 27-year-old frontman has now gone six matches in all competitions without a goal - his biggest drought since his time with Coventry City in the Championship.

However, Saka has made it clear the Arsenal dressing room is still very happy with the selfless Swede's performances at the tip of the Gunners' attack.

He continued: "I think Viktor's playing really, really well. There's no doubt he's going to score goals. What he's bringing to this team, us as his teammates, we're so grateful for what he does, how he holds the ball, how he makes the runs, the threat he gives us. "He's a big part of the reason why we're winning these games. His goals will come. We know that, we believe that and we believe in him. I don't think there's any doubts. He's still up, he's still happy and he's still giving his best every game."

Bukayo Saka scored a penalty in Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Gyokeres went close against West Ham on a number of different occasions. He nearly scored a back-heel early in the contest before also glancing a header towards goal.

In the second half, he also nearly latched onto a low cross from Declan Rice before Arsenal put the game out of sight. Saka has now reached 100 goal involvements in the Premier League (55 goals, 45 assists) as Arteta also marked his 300th game at the helm with a fourth successive win in all competitions.