Mikel Arteta and Kai Havertz agree on Arsenal weapon that will win them 'big titles'

After Arsenal overcame Sporting CP in dramatic circumstances in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, Kai Havertz and Mikel Arteta agreed on their feelings around David Raya

Kai Havertz and Mikel Arteta truly believe Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya is currently 'the best goalkeeper in the world.' Havertz also insisted performances from players like Raya will keep the Gunners in the hunt for 'big titles.'

The Arsenal goalkeeper was the man of the match in the Gunners' huge 1-0 away victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. Havertz's late goal inflicted a first home defeat in 20 matches on the Portuguese side and gave Arsenal the perfect platform to build on ahead of the second-leg next week.

While the German was the one who got the goal, the real match-winner was Raya. He made a huge save from Maximiliano Araujo, pushing his fierce effort onto the crossbar with his finger tips.

After Raya made many other key saves, Havertz and Arteta both said the ex-Brentford ace is the best shot-stopper on the planet right now.

In his post-match interview, Havertz said: "Unbelievable. I think [he is] still underestimated in the world of football. But for me, the last two seasons, [he is] the best keeper in the world. He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him."

Arteta agreed with his midfielder, saying: "At the moment David is the best goalkeeper in the world. He has been phenomenal since he joined us and we are very lucky to have him.”

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In the Champions League, Raya has kept seven clean sheets, only conceding three goals in 10 appearances.

His performance against the Portuguese heavyweights also summed up why so many thought he would have made a difference in the League Cup final loss to Manchester City.

Raya was also absent for the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton, with Kepa Arrizabalaga also given the nod to face the Championship side, despite his mistake at Wembley. Raya's performance in Sporting will surely cement his position in both the Premier League and the Champions League for the Gunners.

While the FA Cup and the League Cup are now out of Arsenal's reach, Havertz insisted he and his team-mates believe they can win the Premier League and the Champions League. He said: "Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches.

"So we wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happened. We stick together as a group, we have so much more to come this season. Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles and we're going to go for that."

After the match, Havertz also had plenty of great things to say about Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian cut onto his right foot and floated a perfect ball over the Sporting defence into Havertz's path, before the ex-Chelsea star found the bottom corner with his finish.

Speaking about his attacking colleague, Havertz said: "Top, so much quality that guy. Obviously, as a striker or attacking midfielder you always wait for these moments. He made it so well so credit to Martinelli."