Raya admits Arsenal have missed team-mate’s ‘quality’ – and responds to questions about his side’s mentality | OneFootball

David Raya admits Martin Odegaard has been a big miss for Arsenal during his absence.

The midfielder has struggled with injury this season but returned in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

And Raya says it will be a big boost having him back for the crucial part of the season, with a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP next up.

“Obviously we have missed him,” Raya said.

“He’s a great club captain, he’s a leader on and off the pitch, and the quality that he shows, I think he only played 60 minutes the other day but you could see he was ready to go.

“So much quality on the ball and so much quality off the ball, leading the team.

“Obviously we have missed him, he’s a really important player for us and now he’s back so let’s enjoy him.”

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Arsenal have lost back-to-back games going into the Champions League tie, having also been beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester City before their latest loss to Southampton.

And Raya says it will be a big chance to answer any questions over his side’s mentality.

“We have to be ourselves,” he said. “Obviously there’s going to be talk about the two losses that we’ve had but we have to see it as an opportunity to carry on, to show what team we are and what we want.

“It’s a massive one tomorrow and we know it’s going to be a difficult one but this team is ready for everything.”

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