‘Extraordinary, magnificent, incredible’ – Arteta raves about one Arsenal star after Champions League win | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta singled out David Raya for praise after Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting Lisbon. 

Kai Havertz dominated the headlines as the German struck a stoppage-time winner to hand his team a narrow advantage before the second leg at Emirates Stadium. 

But Arteta looked to be the most impressed with Raya, who denied Maxi Araujo with a stellar fingertip save. 

The Spaniard kept his side in the game with three more saves when Sporting piled on the pressure late on before Havertz’s winner. 

Arteta was effusive in praise for Raya after the game, calling him ‘extraordinary, magnificent and incredible’. 

He said: “He’s extraordinary, magnificent, incredible. I don’t know the adjective, the right one. And with that, it’s enough. We are so happy to have him.”

Arsenal were short on confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter. 

The Gunners had lost back-to-back matches before the international break to end their quadruple dreams this season. 

They lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City before getting dumped out of the FA Cup by Southampton. 

However, Arsenal bounced back with a positive performance at the Estádio José Alvalade, and came away with a 1-0 victory.  

The London giants struggled to create many clear-cut chances but their defenders produced a solid defensive display to keep a clean sheet. 

Their attention now returns to the Premier League, where they take on Bournemouth in a home game on Saturday. 

Arsenal are nine points clear at the top of the league standings, but they cannot afford any slip-ups with only five games remaining. 

Arteta’s side still have to play City, who also have a game in hand, at the Etihad Stadium.