“He’s saved us so many times”

Kai Havertz heaped praise on Arsenal teammate David Raya following the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

While Havertz may have scored the match winner, Raya delivered a Man of the Match display, making several remarkable saves to ensure Arsenal left Portugal with a clean sheet.

Speaking post-match, Havertz lauded the Spaniard’s contribution, describing him as unbelievable, and suggesting that he may be the best goalkeeper in the world.

“He’s unbelievable,” Havertz told Amazon Prime. “I think he is still underestimated in the football world, but for the last two years, I don’t know, maybe he’s been the best ‘keeper in the world. He’s outstanding. He’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Raya has the best percentage of any goalkeeper to play two or more games in the Champions League this season, with 90%. He also has the most clean sheets (17) in the competition over the last three seasons and has kept a clean sheet in 53% (17/32) of his UCL appearances, while conceding just 0.59 goals per game.

To crown it all, the Arsenal shotstopper has kept seven clean sheets in the competition this term, the most of any goalkeeper.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praises ‘phenomenal’ Raya after heroics in win over Sporting CP

Raya also earned the praise of Mikel Arteta, with the manager pointing out his saves and adding that the goalkeeper has been outstanding since joining Arsenal. Altogether, Raya made five saves and was the highest-rated player, with a match rating of 8.7, according to Sofascore.

“He had two moments where he made two big saves,” Arteta told Amazon Prime. “And that’s the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes because there’s so much quality. At the moment he’s phenomenal and he has been extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him.”

Speaking further in his press conference, Arteta added:

“That’s the evolution of the game, I think, in every role. The ‘keeper in the last few years has changed and evolved rapidly, and the amount of things that he has to do, it’s a lot. But many positions have very similar situations and demands right now, and the players have to adapt to that. And when you have, apart from the qualities of David, the courage, the will to do certain things, that’s when you can reach another level.”

In addition to his saves and clean sheet, Raya also displayed composure in possession, completing 26 of his 28 attempted passes. He has the most expected goals prevented in the UCL over the last two seasons, with a total of 9.07. Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois is next on the list with 6.12.