Lisbon, April 8 – Kai Havertz reserved special praise for goalkeeper David Raya, calling him "the best goalkeeper in the world," after his late goal secured a crucial advantage for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Havertz scored deep into stoppage time, giving Arsenal a narrow victory in Lisbon, but the German forward quickly highlighted Raya's outstanding performance, which ensured the visitors kept a clean sheet.
"He's unbelievable – I still think people underestimate him in the football world, but for the last two years, I don't know, maybe he's been the best goalkeeper in the world, and we're all glad to have him here," Havertz was quoted as saying by Arsenal.
The decisive goal came after a key contribution from substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who made an immediate impact off the bench with a perfectly weighted assist.
"I've said that about 80 per cent of the goal goes to him," Havertz said afterwards. "I was there to finish it off. It was a top assist from him; I saw him, and he just played the perfect pass, and it was a good goal."
The goal marked yet another instance of Arsenal's bench making a difference in Europe this season, underscoring the squad's depth at a critical stage of the competition.
The result also provided a timely boost for the London side, following a difficult run of results domestically, with Havertz admitting the squad had been frustrated in recent weeks.
"Yeah, I think we needed that, as we were all frustrated with how the last couple of weeks went, but it's time to move forward, it's time to be positive, and it's time for us all to stick together as a group – as players, staff, and fans, we're all in this together, and we can still make something happen this year. It can be something very special, and that's what we're going to aim for, and now it's time to win games," Havertz stated.
Arsenal will now carry a slender lead into the return leg at the Emirates Stadium as they look to secure a place in the semi-finals.