MIKEL ARTETA AGREES WITH KAI HAVERTZ AFTER ARSENAL BEAT SPORTING: "WE ARE VERY LUCKY"

Mikel Arteta and Kai Havertz hailed David Raya after Arsenal's smash-and-grab win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. Havertz's injury-time goal saw the Gunners leave Portugal with a 1-0 victory, which owed much to their goalkeeper's heroics.

Arsenal came into the first leg of their quarter final on the back of consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Southampton and were far from their best for much of the night. Those defeats, which cost them the Carabao Cup and a place in the FA Cup semi finals, came with second-choice keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.

Raya was restored to the starting line-up in Lisbon and made a fantastic stop early on to tip Maxi Araujo's shot onto the crossbar. Later, he got down well at his near post to keep out a header from Geny Catamo before stopping Luis Suarez on the rebound after another shot by Catamo.

His 22nd clean sheet in his 41st appearance of the season meant Havertz's cool finish after a brilliant run and pass from Gabriel Martinelli in the 91st minute was the winner. The German was in no doubt who the man of the match was when he spoke to Prime Video.

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"Unbelievable. I think still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world," Havertz said. "He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him."

Arteta was on the same page. "He had two moments where he made two big saves," the Arsenal boss said. "And that's the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there's so much quality here."

Asked about Havertz's assertion that Raya is the best in the world, Arteta said: "At the moment he's phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him."

Speaking in his press conference, Arteta also underlined Raya's ability with the ball at his feet. "That's the evolution of the game," he said. "The keeper in the last few years has changed and evolved rapidly, and the amount of things that we ask him to do, it's a lot.

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"But many positions have very similar situations and demands right now, and the players have to adapt to that. Apart from the qualities of David, the courage, the will to do certain things, that's when you can reach another level."

Raya downplayed his night's work, which gives Arsenal the advantage for the return leg in north London next week. "It's something that I'm there for. I'm trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball," he told Prime Video.

"That's something we've worked on a lot. It's so important for us, those clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping that clean sheet decides those type of games."

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2026-04-08T06:13:36Z