Mikel Arteta singled out David Raya for praise after Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting CP.
Kai Havertz dominated the headlines as the German struck a stoppage-time winner to hand his team a narrow advantage before the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Arteta was most impressed with Raya, who denied Maxi Araujo with a stellar fingertip save.
The Spaniard kept his side in the game with three more saves when Sporting piled on the pressure before Havertz’s winner.
Arteta was effusive in praise for Raya after the game, calling him ‘extraordinary, magnificent and incredible’.
Arsenal were short on confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter.
The Gunners had lost back-to-back matches before the international break to end their quadruple dreams this season.
They lost the League Cup final to Manchester City before being dumped out of the FA Cup by Southampton.
However, Arsenal bounced back with a positive performance in Portugal to record a 1-0 victory.
The London giants struggled to create many clear-cut chances, but their defenders produced a solid defensive display to keep a clean sheet.
Their attention now returns to the Premier League, where they take on Bournemouth in a home game on Saturday.
Arsenal are nine points clear at the top of the league standings, but they cannot afford any slip-ups.
Arteta’s side still have to play City, who have a game in hand, at the Etihad Stadium.
