Mikel Arteta hailed David Raya as “extraordinary” after his goalkeeper’s stunning performance in Arsenal’s late 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting Lisbon.
Substitute Kai Havertz struck in injury time to put Arsenal on course for the semi-finals ahead of next week’s last-eight return leg at the Emirates, with Arteta admitting his side – following consecutive defeats – had a “point to prove”.
However, Arteta had Raya to thank for keeping Arsenal alive with a wonderful early save to deny Maxi Araujo. Raya also produced a fine double stop late in the contest before Havertz’s winner in the first minute of stoppage time.
“He’s extraordinary, magnificent, and incredible,” said Arteta of Raya. “I don’t know the adjective, the right one. And with that, it’s enough. We are so happy to have him.”
“He (Raya) is still underestimated in the world of football. For the last two seasons he has been the best keeper in the world.”
Arteta’s side arrived in Portugal rocked by back-to-back losses for the first time this season which have reduced their trophy aspirations from four to two.
But their last-gasp win in Lisbon provides them with a significant boost, not just on the European stage, but also ahead of their Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday.
Arsenal have the opportunity to move 12 points clear of rivals’ Manchester City who face Chelsea a day later at Stamford Bridge.
And Arteta continued: “It was a big night, a big moment in the season. Especially where we were coming from. We had a point to prove.
“Yesterday I talked about identity and the things that I wanted to see on that pitch. It certainly happened. There was a shift there, against a big opponent.
“The best thing that you can do instead of talk is observe. Look around you and see how people react. How they talk, how they look at you, how they judge you, what they do, do they look at themselves, do they start to criticise other people? Look around, and you’re going to learn the environment and the people that you have around you.
“And I cannot be prouder to work in a club with people that only ask: ‘What else can I do to help?’ And when you have people like this, I don’t know if it’s going to take another week or two, but something really will happen at the end because we deserve it.”
Despite the late defeat, Sporting head coach Rui Borges said his side remain in the tie.
“It is frustrating because we did not deserve to lose after all we did in the game,” he said. “But that is football. We have won in the 91st minute before, and tonight we lost.
“We have to look forward to the next match in London and we will try to deliver something unique. I am hopeful this round will be open until the end. We know they will be at home, but our team likes challenges and I am sure we will give a good response.”