David Raya says Arsenal have been practising penalty kicks in training since the start of the season, insists he should have saved more against Porto
Arsenal booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years after securing victory over FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Gunners lost 1-0 in the first-leg and drew themselves level on aggregate after Leandro Trossard put them ahead in the first-half.
Arsenal could not find a winner but won 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes, with Spain international goalkeeper David Raya saving two of the four Porto kicked.
Micah Richards praised him for his heroics in goal after the game during an interview on CBS Sports, but the Gunners star claimed he should have saved three and also revealed that the team had been practising penalty kicks since the beginning of the season.
Jamie Carragher: “Practised the penalties in the last few days, have you?”
Raya: “We’ve been practising since the start of the season, to be fair.”
Thierry Henry, Carragher and Richards: “Wow”
Raya: “We’ve to, even in the Premier League, it can be decided by penalties, and in moments like these, you have to be ready when you are asked to do it. I think all the hard work we have been working in training, it paid off.”
Arsenal scored all their four attempts from the spot, with Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice giving the Porto goalie no chance.
They have definitely been putting plenty of effort into penalties behind the scenes, and it was very clear for all to see.
Arsenal stars have perfected their kicks while their first-choice goalkeeper has done his homework, rightly guessing the direction of three of the penalties from Porto and making two superb saves.
The North Londoners head into the international break top of the Premier League table and with a berth in the last-eight of the elite European competition, and they will be raring to go when action resumes.
The draws will be coming up soon and while getting past Porto was tough, Arsenal will fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals regardless of which club they face next.
