‘Best goalkeeper in the world’ David Raya’s masterclass will even have Arsenal’s rivals rejoicing

Arsenal have guaranteed the Premier League a fifth Champions League spot for next season by beating Sporting Lisbon.

The Gunners snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory in Portugal on Tuesday night.

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Kai Havertz came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against the Portuguese outfit.

His effort came after Martin Zubimendi had earlier had a goal ruled out by VAR.

Viktor Gyokeres had been offside in the build-up to the goal as Arsenal were made to wait for their winning moment.

But Arsenal had goalkeeper David Raya to thank as the Spaniard pulled off a string of vital saves to deny the home side.

Havertz hailed his performance after the match as Raya kept his seventh clean sheet in ten Champions League appearances this term.

The standout moments for Raya saw the Spaniard save a venomous Maximiliano Araujo shot onto the crossbar before denying Geny Catamo’s header from point-blank range when the game was goalless.

Discussing his teammate’s masterclass, the forward told Amazon Prime Video: “Unbelievable.

“I think still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world.

“He’s outstanding, he’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.”

Raya’s heroics kept the match level before Arsenal’s pressure eventually paid off late on.

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Gabriel Martinelli picked out Havertz’s run with a perfectly weighted lofted pass, which the German latched onto before stroking home.

When asked about his heroics, Raya told Amazon: “It’s something that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but commanding and on the ball.

“So delighted with myself performance and, of course, the win.”

On his save to deny Araujo in the first half, Raya added: “I think that’s a turning moment. It was a quick transition from them, great strike but I managed to get a fingertip to it to hit the bar. It’s one of those moments that can change games.”

The goal means Mikel Arteta’s side have a lead to defend at the Emirates Stadium next week.

They welcome Sporting to north London on Wednesday, April 15, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals to face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

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Extra UCL spot for the Premier League

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Premier League rivals will be celebrating after the Premier League’s fifth spot in next season’s competition was confirmed.

With their win on Tuesday, the Gunners guaranteed England a top two spot in this season’s co-efficient table.

Spain are now the only nation that can finish on more points in the rankings.

It will be the second season in a row in which the Premier League has received an additional spot.

Newcastle benefited last term as they qualified for the league phase by finishing fifth.

As it stands, Liverpool currently occupy fifth place in the Premier League with seven matches remaining.

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However, the Reds are just a point ahead of nearest challengers Chelsea.

Both Brentford and Everton are just three points adrift of the top five in what is poised to be a frantic race for the final spot.

The news also strengthens Manchester United and Aston Villa’s hopes of qualification.

They currently sit inside the top four, with a seven and six point gap to Chelsea, respectively.