Kai Havertz singled out David Raya after Arsenal edged Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon. Havertz supplied the late decisive touch, controlling a Gabriel Martinelli pass and slotting home in the 91st minute, but it was Raya’s saves that shaped the result.
The Spain international made several crucial interventions, including getting a fingertip to a powerful Maxi Araujo drive that hit the bar and producing a superb near-post stop from Geny Catamo. Those moments extended a string of match-turning contributions this season, and Havertz described Raya as underrated worldwide, calling him the best goalkeeper of the past two seasons and crediting him with numerous game-saving displays.
Manager Mikel Arteta also praised Raya’s impact, noting two big saves that helped decide a Champions League tie where fine margins in the penalty areas matter most. Arteta reflected on how the goalkeeper role has evolved, saying modern keepers must do much more on and off the ball, and that Raya’s courage and willingness to take responsibility elevate him further.
Raya said the early stop from Araujo was a turning moment and stressed the importance of staying focused throughout the match, whether making saves, commanding the area or playing out from the back. He completed 26 of 28 passes and showed his reading of the game by heading clear a long pass near halfway to snuff out a Sporting counter.
Statistically Raya’s influence is clear. Since the start of last season he has kept more Champions League clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, recording 13 in 23 games and edging Inter’s Yann Sommer. Over the same period he conceded 12 goals from shots on target that carried a combined 21.07 xGOT, effectively preventing just over nine expected goals — the highest amount saved by any keeper in the competition across the past two seasons, with Thibaut Courtois the next on the list.
His Premier League numbers are likewise impressive: Raya has the most clean sheets in the division this season, with 15, and has made only one error leading to a goal across his last 69 league appearances over the past two campaigns.
Arsenal will hope Raya can maintain this form for the second leg and throughout their pursuit of the club’s first European title.