Kai Havertz has declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after helping Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.
Havertz, who calmly controlled a pass from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli to score the winning goal in the 91st minute, was keen to praise his goalkeeper’s contribution.
Raya made a series of important saves to keep Arsenal clean, hitting Maxi Araujo’s ferocious drive onto the bar early on and then making a superb near-post stop from Genny Katamo.
The save was just the latest example of Raya saving Arsenal this season, with manager Mikel Arteta recently facing criticism for starting Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
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Mikel Arteta praised his team’s spirit after Kai Havertz’s 1-0 win against Sporting
“It’s unbelievable,” Havertz told Amazon Prime about Raya.
“I think he’s still underrated in football, but for me he’s been the best keeper in the world for the last two seasons.
“He’s an outstanding person. He saved us many times, so we’re very happy to have him.”
Manager Arteta also praised the Spanish national team’s contribution.
“He had moments where he made two big saves,” he told Amazon Prime. “And that’s the Champions League. The Champions League is always decided in the box because the quality is so high.
“He’s been phenomenal at the moment and he’s been exceptional since he joined us. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Raya: The first save was the turning point.
Raya himself felt that Araujo’s early save, following a superb out-of-the-boot pass from Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande, was a key factor in the outcome.
“I think this is a turning point,” he added to Amazon Prime. “It was a quick transition from them and a great strike, but I managed to hit the bar with my fingertips and that was one of those moments that could change the game.”
“That’s because I’m there. I try to help the team as much as possible in every action, not only in defense but also in command and when handling the ball, so I’m happy with my performance and of course the win.”
David Raya made 5 saves in the match in Lisbon.
Raya also showed composure in possession, completing 26 of 28 pass attempts, and showed an ability to anticipate danger behind Arsenal’s back line, heading a long pass near the halfway line to thwart Sporting’s counterattack.
“You have to focus on whatever you’re doing, whether you’re touching the ball or not,” he added.
“This is something I’ve been working on for years, learning from past situations where I was confused and unprepared.
“I try to be as prepared as possible during the game with a few tricks to keep my focus on the ball.”
Speaking about Raya’s role in his press conference, Arteta added: “I think it’s an evolution of the game in any role.
David Raya talks to Mikel Arteta during the match
“The keeper has changed and evolved rapidly in recent years and the amount of work he has to do is huge.
“But now many positions have very similar situations and demands and the players have to adapt.
“And apart from David’s qualities, when you have the courage and the will to do certain things, that’s when you can reach another level.”
Statistics show Raya’s value to Arsenal
Of course, there’s plenty of competition to be considered the best in the world at his position, but Raya’s numbers in the Champions League certainly put him in a league of his own.
In addition to keeping the most clean sheets since the start of last season with 13 out of 23, Raya has outstanding basic statistics, ahead of Inter’s Jan Sommer who has kept 11 out of 24.
In the same period, the 30-year-old has conceded only 12 goals from shots on target, worth 21.07xG. In other words, they prevented just over nine goals that were expected.
Expected goals prevented is the difference between actual goals conceded and expected goals on target (xGOT)
This is a statistic that highlights his shot-stopping ability, and is far higher than any other goalkeeper in the Champions League over the past two seasons, with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois next in the rankings with 6.12.
Arsenal will be aided by a goalkeeper who has proven his world-class credentials as they fight for their first Champions League win in the club’s history and will hope his excellent form continues beyond next week’s second leg.
