‘That’s my advice’ – Mikel Arteta told to ban Arsenal star from penalties for ‘awful’ FA Cup spot-kick

Noni Madueke missed his first professional penalty, and Mikel Arteta has already been told never to let him take a spot-kick again.

The England international had the opportunity to give Arsenal a cushion in their FA Cup tie at Portsmouth, but fluffed his lines.

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The Gunners had found themselves behind to the Championship side following Colby Bishops’ strike inside three minutes.

However, an own-goal from Andre Dozzell restored parity five minutes later, before Gabriel Martinelli put the visitors in front.

Madueke had a golden chance to put Arsenal in complete control just before half-time, having been dragged down by Zak Swanson.

The former Chelsea star took over penalty duties in the absence of Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres but missed the target.

Madueke’s stuttered run-up deceived Josef Bursik, yet his tame effort bobbled and bounced harmlessly wide of the far post.

Dean Ashton told talkSPORT: “Just trying to be too clever, too precise – Didn’t need to be. Just take the penalty properly.

“What a great opportunity, because he stutters, he loses his balance slightly, because he waits so long for Bursik.

“He waits so long he has to kind of jump to his right, and he’s falling away, and then he drags it past the post.

“It’s awful Technique when it comes to actually striking the ball in the end because he was totally off balance.

“I just hate to watch penalties like that. What a waste.”

On his advice for Madueke, he added: “Well, you’re not taking the next one. That’s probably my advice.”

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Madueke’s penalty record

Madueke had also missed a penalty in a 3-2 friendly loss to Villarreal in August with the same stutter run-up, with his effort saved that day.

The 23-year-old was infamously once part of a spot-kick row during his time at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino in April 2024.

Madueke and Nicolas Jackson squabbled with Cole Palmer over who would take a penalty during a 6-0 Premier League win over Everton.

Enzo Maresca revealed months later that he intervened to stop Madueke taking the first of two pens in a 3-0 win over Club America.

Yet the only two he took in competitive matches for Chelsea, outside of shootouts, were both converted.

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Madueke scored a penalty in a Carabao Cup victory against Wimbledon in August 2023, with his other coming in a Premier League home triumph over Crystal Palace four months later.

Up until his miss at Fratton Park, Madueke’s only failings from 12 yards came as a youngster at PSV and England’s youth sides.

Thankfully for Arteta and Arsenal, it meant little in the eventual FA Cup win against Portsmouth.

Martinelli scored twice more after the break to complete his hat-trick, with Madueke turning provider for the Brazilian’s third.