Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, played a crucial role in the team’s victory against FC Porto in the Champions League, but he believes he could have done even better. Despite making two impressive saves during the penalty shootout, Raya expressed disappointment in himself for not stopping a third penalty.
The Gunners secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a tense match that ended in a shootout. Raya’s performance was instrumental in the victory, but he remains critical of his own abilities.
“I should have saved three. I don’t think the goalie coach will be happy that I conceded the third one,” Raya admitted in an interview with TNT Sports. Despite getting a hand to the shot taken by Marko Grujic, Raya was unable to keep it out of the net.
Raya credited the goalkeeper department for their preparation and strategy going into the shootout. “We had a plan of going one side or the other, and it depends on the players. You study them as well, and as well with the players they study the goalkeepers nowadays. So credit to the GK Department that it has paid off,” he explained.
The victory against Porto marks Arsenal’s first time reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League since 2010. Raya’s performance has been praised, but he remains focused on improving and delivering even better results in the future.
