In this video
“I don't think the word is pressure. I think it's an opportunity to show what team we are…”
- Losing to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final was disappointing, Raya says, but it is gone. The pain from that game has to drive the rest of the season, starting tomorrow.
- Going back to an old club gives you extra motivation, says Raya, who has faced his own. The team-mate returning to his former club will be eager to score, and Raya hopes he gets a few tomorrow.
- Asked about Odegaard, Raya says the club captain has been missed as a leader on and off the pitch. He only played 60 minutes the other day, but you could see he was ready.
- Asked about sitting out the last two games, Raya says the word is not frustration. Sometimes you are picked and sometimes not, and his job is to be there for the team.
- His loan at Southport and his time at Blackburn made him the person and player he is, Raya says. Reaching this level late in his career shows that hard work pays off.
- Asked about lifting the goalkeeper who played the last two games, Raya says he was away after the City game. After Southampton there was not much to say: the team fell below its standards.
- Told Sporting's coach expects a wounded animal, Raya says he does not like that sentence and losing is part of football. Arsenal go in full of energy and eager to play.
David Raya spoke about Arsenal’s mindset after their recent defeats to Manchester City and Southampton, insisting the squad remains confident ahead of their crucial **UEFA Champions League clash against Sporting CP.
The Spanish goalkeeper described the upcoming match as a “massive opportunity” rather than pressure, emphasizing the team’s belief in their quality and their determination to bounce back.
Raya also highlighted the importance of Martin Ødegaard’s return, praising the Arsenal captain’s leadership and influence both on and off the pitch. The midfielder’s comeback brings creativity, control, and leadership back to the Gunners’ lineup at a crucial stage of the season.
The Arsenal keeper reflected on the squad’s mentality, stressing that unity, enjoyment, and confidence will be key as the club fights for success in the Champions League and Premier League during the decisive final months of the campaign.
