Arsenal defeated Sporting Lisbon with Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the 91st minute, after goalkeeper David Raya made several excellent saves.
Mikel Arteta praises David Raya after victory (Image: Prime Video)
Mikel Arteta and Kai Havertz praised David Raya after Arsenal’s convincing victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. Havertz’s stoppage-time goal gave the Gunners a 1-0 victory over Portugal thanks to some goalkeeper heroics.
Arsenal went into the first leg of the quarter-final on the back of back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Southampton, but for much of the night they were far from their best. The defeat cost them a spot in the Carabao Cup and a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, but second-choice keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga scored the goal.
Raya returned to the starting lineup against Lisbon and made a great stop early on, hitting Maxi Araujo’s shot against the crossbar. He then got off well at his near post to deny Genny Katamo’s header, and then stopped Luis Suárez with a rebound from Katamo’s shot.
His 22nd clean sheet in his 41st appearance of the season meant Havertz finished calmly after a fine run and pass from Gabriel Martinelli in the 91st minute to become the winner. Man of the Match was definitely who the German player was when he spoke to Prime Video.
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“It’s unbelievable. I think he’s still underrated in the football world, but for me he’s been the best keeper in the world for the last two seasons,” Havertz said. “He is an outstanding person and has saved us many times, so we are very happy to have him.”
Arteta had the same idea. “He had two moments where he made two big saves,” the Arsenal manager said. “And that’s the Champions League, because the Champions League is always decided in the box and we have players of very high quality here.”
Asked about Havertz’s claim that Raya is the best in the world, Arteta said: “He’s been phenomenal and exceptional at the moment since he joined us. We’re very lucky to have him.”
In his press conference, Arteta also emphasized Raya’s ability to handle the ball at his feet. “That’s the evolution of the game,” he said. “The keeper has changed and evolved rapidly in recent years and the amount we ask of him is huge.
David Raya named Player of the Match (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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“But now many positions have very similar situations and demands and players have to adapt to that. Apart from David’s quality, his courage and his will to do certain things, that’s when he can reach a new level.”
Raya has downplayed night work, which gives Arsenal an advantage in next week’s return fixture in north London. “That’s why I’m here, trying to help the team as much as I can, not only defensively but also with command and everything I do on the ball,” he said on Prime Video.
“That’s something we’ve put a lot of effort into. It’s very important for us. Clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping clean sheets is what decides these types of games.”
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