Kai Havertz declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after his saves helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over Sporting in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.
Havertz scored the decisive goal, controlling a pass from fellow substitute, Gabriel Martinelli and finishing coolly in the 91st minute, but he was eager to praise the goalkeeper’s contribution.
Raya made five saves, including outstanding stops from Maxi Araujo and Geny Catamo, as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Kai Havetz called him the world’s best and Mikel Arteta talked up his “extraordinary” impact.
Raya made a string of vital saves to preserve Arsenal’s clean sheet, tipping a ferocious Maxi Araujo drive onto the bar early on and later pulling off a brilliant near-post stop from Geny Catamo.
The saves were just the latest examples of Raya coming to Arsenal’s rescue this season, with manager Mikel Arteta having recently faced criticism for starting Kepa Arrizabalaga instead of him in the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
“Unbelievable,” Havertz told Amazon Prime of Raya.
“I think he is still underestimated in the world of football, but for me, the last two seasons, the best ‘keeper in the world.
“He’s outstanding. He has saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”